Saturday 3 January 2009

Meetings with Interesting Trees

My brother lives at the edge of Wytham Woods, owned by Oxford University and used for research projects. Unlike most managed woodland it is for the most part left to develop naturally: many areas qualify as "ancient woodland" where the undergrowth hasn't been cleared. Mostly oak hazel and beech, with additions like the ivy which wraps itself round the tree below:

Trees here are allowed to split, droop, fall apart, decay and above all grow unrestricted:








I spent a number of happy hours this holiday re-exploring the woods where I grew up (and discovering that I was fit enough to walk for miles and miles without getting tired, which was also a bonus!)


4 comments:

Lesnes said...

You have photographed some very interesting trees, with wonderful trunks...I LOVE trees and I'm so glad we near woodlands. I am a bit of a 'tree hugger' - it does you good!

mzjohansen said...

Trees are some of the most interesting things in the universe! I love them. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos!

Julie said...

What beautiful trees Sandra. Countryfile featured these woods a few weeks ago.

The Idaho Beauty said...

From these pics one can really see where some of those old fairytales came from. Some of those trees look about to come to life and walk off...