Woodchip on paths and steps

Here we have Derek, Chris, Peter, Alan, Phil, Will and Eric following 

their successful refurbishment of the path through the Valley Woodland (posts 8 to 11).

The path gets eroded and compacted 

so we have to top it up with woodchip, which was kindly donated 

by Ian Pullen of Tree Management near Wotton.

We have also added woodchip to the path and steps either side of the footbridge.

Catkins ready

On 18th December I wrote that the hazel catkins would be shedding golden pollen in February but some are already doing it.

Signs of spring

Birch and sky

White bark on silver birches against a blue sky is a winter wonder on a clear day. 

Although the trunk and branches are silvery white, 
the young shoots and twigs are a pinky purple.

Hedging our bets

Out of the apparent disorder of coppiced wood, we have already made some useful produce.

Hedging stakes are five foot long poles to help create a laid hedge.  They are sharpened at one end so that they can be banged into the ground to support the horizontal laid stems of the hedge.  

The stakes are tied into bundles of five to make them easier to move around. 

Here is a truckload of 30 bundles - 150 stakes - ready to deliver to our customer. 

All funds raised from such sales of produce are ploughed back into managing the woodland.for wildlife and people.

White dead nettle

Pure white in the December gloom.  It doesn't sting but the leaves are so like stinging nettles that people usually steer clear of the White Deadnettle.  

The Wildlife Trusts website says:

"Lots of different species of long-tongued insects visit the flowers of White Dead-nettle, including the Red Mason Bee, White-tailed Bumblebee and Burnished Brass Moth. The caterpillars of the Garden Tiger and Angle Shades moths feed on the leaves, as do Green Tortoise Beetles."

Bees land on the lip of the flower and then probe the long tube to get at the nectar.  While they do this, the stamens in the top petal are bent down to dust the bee with pollen, which she then carries to the next flower.  
Symbiosis:  the bee gets a treat and the plant gets pollinated.  Win-win.

Hogsheads

The seedheads of hogweed have a persistent, architectural beauty, 
even in the face of winter gales.

Christmas Post

Eventually even treated timber rots of in the ground.

When our 20 way-marking posts snap off we re-install them
 but each time they are a little bit shorter.

Here's number 9 in the middle of the Valley Woodland, with the stream in the background.

Number 6, at the top of the steps leading to the viewpoint, was found lying wounded  on the ground  .  .  . 

.  .  .  but a new hole was dug with our post-holer and it was popped back in position.

The 20 numbered posts are linked to the leaflet describing the self-guided trail round Filnore Woods.