Tree following link box for April 2020

Sticky buds of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) opening into leaf in Thompson’s Park, Cardiff, on March 23

It’s that time again for the monthly tree-following link box, which will stay open for your tree-related links until 7pm GMT on April 14. You can find the box at the bottom of this post.

However, for most of us this probably is not a month like any other we have known. Although some countries may have escaped the coronavirus pandemic for now, in the UK we are in Covid-19 lock-down, meaning we can leave our homes only for essential business.

I for one will not be able to visit my Turkish hazels in Cardiff Bay as it is too far from home and I would not dream of using a bus at the moment. But I will think of something to post, I am sure.

Just one of the poignant aspects of this last few weeks is that now that we are unable to go outside the months of heavy rain have made way for glorious spring sunshine.

Some of you may be able to visit your trees but I suggest for others that any tree-related post will be acceptable this month. I’m sure you will think of something interesting to say. Point to any tree-related post you would like to share, using the link box below. And please don’t forget to leave a comment.

If you are new to tree following, read all about the idea here.

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Thompson’s Park in early spring

Magnolia bloom in Thompson’s Park, Cardiff

I started the Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown a fortnight ago with the intention of visiting a park every week for some exercise, but already I am slacking. So far I have visited only one – Thompson’s Park.

It is our nearest park but I hadn’t walked through it for a few years, since I started working down in Cardiff Bay. There was a time when I visited it monthly, and here are my images from those days.

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News from the world of trees 2020 #3

Despite the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis I intend to carry on regardless with my regular blog posts and hope for the best. So here is another monthly round-up of tree news articles from around the world. Click on each of the pictures if you would like to read the full stories.

The European Tree of the Year and others

From a stately Scottish elm to a mighty Russian oak, competitors for the title of European tree of the year do their nations proud, says The Guardian…

New Zealand’s most famous tree vandalised

A willow tree at the southern tip of Lake Wanaka, which appears semi-submerged in the water and is a massively popular Instagram spot, was attacked by someone with a saw, says CNN Travel…

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2020 tree following 3: Signs of life

Buds breaking on the Turkish hazels in front of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay

In the first week of March there were at last signs of life returning to the Turkish hazels or Turkish filberts (Corylus colurna) in Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay.

Or at least one of the trees was starting to show buds – I am assuming catkin buds rather than leaf buds.

I had to look very closely but something is definitely opening up for spring.

Here are my photographs from March 2.

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Tree following link box for March 2020

Catkins emerging from one of the white poplars outside County Hall in Cardiff Bay

The tree-following link box has now closed for another month. Amazingly it’s nearly spring!

We have had plenty of rain and wind in South Wales in the last few weeks, with Atlantic storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge arriving in quick succession and bringing flooding and falling trees.

You will find everyone’s updates below, so enjoy exploring…

Erika Groth in Sweden – tree in the snow – possibly Salix

Flighty’s Plot – Liz’s white oak in Lexington, Kentucky, and Mike’s plum tree

Alison at the Blackberry Garden – quince – life is returning quickly

JayP – Amblings around Penwith (Cornwall) – Cornus kousa

Frances at Island Threads, off the North West coast of Scotland – Populus in the garden and Fagus sylvatica in Lews Castle grounds

Hollis – In the Company of Plants and Rocks – Laramie, Wyoming – desperate to post about a tree…

Pat – Squirrelbasket – Cardiff, Wales – Turkish hazel in Roald Dahl Plass – signs of life

If you are new to tree following, read all about the idea here.

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed in March. Why not join us? You could start looking for a tree to observe at any time of year, but spring is as good a time as any. Just point us to any tree-related post you would like to share, using the link box published on the 7th of each month and lasting for a week. Although we all try to publish every month, we are very forgiving if you post less often.

See you next month…

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News from the world of trees 2020 #2

Here is another monthly round-up of tree news articles from around the world. Click on each of the pictures if you would like to read the full stories.

Tesla can fell pines for factory

A German court has given electric car maker Tesla permission to clear forest to build a manufacturing plant, says the Guardian…

Sweden’s forest policy wreaks havoc

Sweden presents itself as a global torchbearer on the environment, but its forest policy is wreaking havoc. The EU must act to stop it, write five European NGOs on the Euractiv news site…

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The Tyrannosaur of Mermaid Quay

Animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, for the schools’ half-term holiday

I made a special morning trip to Mermaid Quay between heavy showers to catch a view of “Quay Rex”, an animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex moved in for next week’s school half-term holidays.

I heard its roar before I saw it, as I walked through between the shops to Tacoma Square, where the restaurants have a view of Cardiff Bay. It sounded a bit like a steam train preparing to move off.

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