#ancientTree

[frnwhcom]

In the quiet churchyard of Fortingall, Perthshire, Scotland, stands a living testament to the passage of time – the Fortingall Yew. Estimated to be between 3,000 to 5,000 years old, this ancient tree is not just a biological wonder but a storied guardian of history, myths, and the evolution of the landscape around…

[missedmilemarkers]

[islandnaturals]

Trees help us with activating our ancestral memory. Touch them, talk to them, listen to them and remember. It makes so much sense that the Taino chief Kalaan uses trees to guide ones in mushroom ceremonies hosted by @earthandthefullness btw ✨ In my two experiences with this plant I met with my ancestors. Nature….life is amazing. Watch how mi pose up pan di tree like is a Benz…as I should…She’s majestic! I swear I just saw this same tree in a documentary on west Africa but this pic was taken in 2013 by mystic mountain in Ocho Rios. #trees #bigtrees #ancienttrees #ancientmemories #ancestralmemories #ancestralplane #ancestralconnection #ancestralroots #ancestors #roots #majestictrees #treetrunks (at Jamaica) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp-jIa8uKyp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thxnews]

National Nature Reserve Expansion Safeguards Trees

A major expansion of the Moccas Park and Gillian’s Wood National Nature Reserve in Herefordshire has been announced by the UK government. This initiative aims to protect ancient oaks and sweet chestnut trees that are hundreds of years old, ensuring their survival for future generations. The reserve's area will increase by 100 hectares, creating a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and preserving historical woodlands.  

Ancient Trees and New Beginnings

Moccas Park, already renowned for its ancient oaks, is now joined by Gillian’s Wood to form an expanded National Nature Reserve. This expansion is not just about enlarging the territory but also about restoring and preserving vital ecosystems. The newly named reserve combines the historic Moccas Park with Woodbury Hill Wood, now managed by the Woodland Trust, thanks to support from a Herefordshire family.  

Old Man of Moccas. Photo by the Ancient Tree Forum. Facebook.   Importance of the Reserve The reserve is home to some of the UK’s oldest trees, including the legendary “Old Man of Moccas,” an oak tree believed to be over 850 years old. These ancient trees are invaluable not only for their historical significance but also for the biodiversity they support. The restoration efforts will benefit various species, including bats, beetles, and dormice, making this reserve a crucial habitat for wildlife.  

Restoration Efforts

Natural England and the Woodland Trust are spearheading the restoration of the woodlands. The expansion includes the transformation of Moccas Hill Wood into wood pasture and the revival of Woodbury Hill Wood as ancient woodland. These efforts involve carefully removing conifer trees planted in the 1950s to give space for native species, thus allowing the ancient trees to thrive.  

Woodland & information board Woodbury Hill. Photo by Colin Park. Geograph.  

Actions and Outcomes

The restoration of these woodlands involves several critical actions aimed at enhancing the health of the ecosystem. These include increasing light to the forest floor, which will help native plants and trees re-establish themselves. Additionally, the removal of non-native conifers will create a more conducive environment for the ancient trees and the species that depend on them. Action Description Outcome Conifer Removal Gradual removal of 1950s conifer trees Space for native species and ancient trees to thrive Light Enhancement Increasing light penetration to the forest floor Growth of native flora Ancient Tree Survey Tagging and initial management of surviving ancient trees Ensured survival and proper care Wildlife Monitoring Continuous monitoring of local wildlife Improved habitat conditions   Quotes from Key Figures Emma Johnson, West Midlands Deputy Director for Natural England, highlighted the historical importance of the trees: “The amazing ancient trees in Moccas Park and Gillian’s Wood date back hundreds of years to medieval times and beyond and provide rich and varied spaces for many species, including the Moccas beetle found at only one other site in the UK.”   Richard Brown, Site Manager of the Woodland Trust, emphasized the significance of the restoration efforts: “Ancient Woods have been around since at least the 1600s and cannot be replaced. Gradually removing the conifer trees will allow light to reach the woodland floor and the plants, trees and associated wildlife found within an ancient woodland will start to establish themselves once more.”  

The Legacy of Gillian Bulmer

Gillian’s Wood is named in memory of Gillian Bulmer, a strong advocate for woodlands and trees. Her brother, John Bulmer, and the trustees of her will supported the Woodland Trust in acquiring and restoring Woodbury Hill Wood. This dedication ensures that her love for nature continues to inspire and protect these ancient landscapes. John Bulmer expressed his sentiments on the dedication: “Being able to support the Woodland Trust to buy and restore this ancient woodland in Gillian’s memory feels very fitting. She was a strong advocate for woods and trees throughout her life and the designation of the National Nature Reserve in the county where she loved feels very poignant.”  

Chicken of the woods. Photo by We Like Sharing. Flickr.   Enhancing Wildlife Habitat The expansion of Moccas Park and Gillian’s Wood National Nature Reserve is not only a victory for historical preservation but also a boon for wildlife. The reserve supports over 1,000 species of fly, 700 species of beetle, and 13 out of the 18 UK bat species. Birds, including all three types of woodpeckers and the nationally significant Pied Flycatchers, find sanctuary here.   Public Access and Engagement The reserve is largely open to the public, offering spectacular views of the Herefordshire landscape. Visitors can explore Gillian’s Wood and Moccas Hill Wood freely, while guided walks and open days at Moccas Park will enhance public engagement and appreciation of these ancient woodlands.  

In Conclusion

The expansion of the Moccas Park and Gillian’s Wood National Nature Reserve marks a significant step in preserving the UK's natural heritage. By safeguarding ancient trees and enhancing wildlife habitats, this initiative ensures that future generations can enjoy and learn from these remarkable landscapes. The combined efforts of Natural England and the Woodland Trust, supported by the local community, underscore the enduring value of conservation and historical preservation. For more information about the Moccas Park and Gillian’s Wood National Nature Reserve and upcoming events, visit the Natural England website or contact the Woodland Trust.   Sources: THX News, Natural England & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Read the full article

[thetreehunter]

Filming The King’s Spy Oak for ITV News

What an absolute privilege it was for me to finally ‘meet with’ the 700-year-old King’s Spy Oak at Caversham, Reading, on Wednesday. This irreplaceable, ancient oak is threatened with felling by a ludicrous housing development scheme (Go to Reading Council Planning Portal and enter 221909). 

At the great oak I was met by local campaigner Jennifer Leach, along with ITV Meridian’s presenter Mel Bloor and camerawoman Steph. Both Jennifer and myself were interviewed for the news piece, which will hopefully be aired on ITV Meridan News today (Friday 12th May 2023).  The Woodland Trust’s Jack Taylor gave a Zoom interview for the piece.

ITV Meridian’s presenter Mel Bloor interviews Tree hunter Rob McBride

The King’s Spy Oak

There have been numerous objections to the planned housing development. Sterling work from local campaigners including the READING TREE WARDENS have raised the plight of this internationally significant ancient oak.

ITV Meridian’s presenter Mel Bloor interviews tree campaigner Jennifer Leach

Local reporter James Aldridge also came along to chat with us and has produced a tree-mendous piece, including a much-longer VIDEO REPORT, in the - Click here for report>> READING CHRONICLE.

ITV Meridian’s presenter Mel Bloor filming her news report at the King’s Spy Oak Rob said ‘This tree must be saved. If the proposed felling goes ahead, then we might as well give up!’ 

and continued by saying... ‘There is an urgent need for proper new laws to protect our truly ancient gems like the King’s Spy Oak.’ Please do head along to the Woodland Trust’s site and sign their -  Click here to sign>> -  ‘LIVING LEGENDS’ petition asking for just such a law from all UK governments.

Please feel free to Click here to join the FACEBOOK group >> Save the King’s Spy Oak and help us raise awareness of this incredible ancient oak.

[bubblesandstuff]

(via Path to the tree of wisdom illustration Throw Blanket by Remco Kouw)

[heidiannemorrisphotography]

"Mighty Old Oak in fog" available in my Redbubble store 🌳 #oaktree #oldtree #treephotography #ancienttrees #tree_magic #oaktrees #forestphotography #woodlands #amazingtrees #your_trees #tree_pictures #woodland #treesphotography #treemagic #treehugger #treescape #foggyforest #raw_alltrees #treehunter (at Ammerdown Woods) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmVOlmKKyOW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mppainterart]

#WatercolorArt

#LandscapePainting

#AncientTree

#NatureArt

#TreePainting

#BotanicalArt

#ArtOfNature

#HandmadeArt

#CalmingArt

#WatercolorLandscape

#ArtLovers

#TreeOfLife

#PeacefulArt

#SereneArt

#WatercolorPainting

#NatureLovers

#ArtCollector

#WallArtDecor

#CreativeProcess

#EtsyArtist

[moshintheteagaiwan]

Dollars vs. Puerh

For those of you who may be a bit more experience with buying Puerh, you have no doubt come across terms like “budget tea” or “everyday drinker tea” amongst many variations. These terms are based around non-expensive teas that are affordable for people on a budget. The teas are also often described as being a good value for your dollar, or good enough to scratch the itch. In other words teas that are good enough to want to drink daily, that don’t cost a lot, but that are also not as good or as great of quality as a cake that would cost says between $80-$200.

And so when it comes to Puerh that care labeled as “Old Arbor”, “Gushu” or “Ancient Tree” you very rarely see any of the above terms included in their descriptions. This is because these teas are “supposedly” made from very rare and expensive material that comes from old tea trees/ plants. I say “supposedly” because until you’ve tasted it, and have they experience to know the difference, we don’t actually know how true this is. Is it could be, but we are also at the mercy of the information given by the vendor, but I’ll dig into that another day.

My personal opinion on this is that all tea should be an everyday drinker, and everyday drinker tea should be just as good as the uber expensive teas. After all who wants to buy all these tasty teas and not be able to enjoy them as often as they want? I can understand having maybe 1 or 2 cakes that you drink on occasion because they are expensive, but for the most part your tea should always be delicious, high quality and affordable. But when it comes to these high cost teas, shouldn’t the taste of them reflect the price??? Good question!

I wanted an answer, and so to get it I did 2 blind taste tests. One with myself alone and then a second one with 3 friends. For these blind tastings I bought 4 sample sizes of Raw Puerh from White2Tea. The teas ranged in price from “Budget” to “Medium Expensive” to “Upper Expensive” to “Broke the Bank”. Each teas was blind tasted side by side, with no information besides what I was tasting. This same method was followed with 3 friends all of whom have little to no experience with Puerh. The outcome being how many of us would pick the more expensive teas simply based around taste.

The 4 teas tasted in order of price range lowest to highest were: (Canadian $)

- 2021 Hotline Space Coyote ($6.81 per sample or $43.25 per cake)

- 2021 680 ($13.17 per sample or $87.78 per cake)

- 2021 The Thing Is ($21.63 per sample or $147.57 per cake

- 2021 Is a Gift ($45.80 per sample or $316.77 per cake)

Now let me just say that all of them were very good but all for different reasons. I have so many tasting notes that I won’t include them with this post but maybe at a later date I’ll do a more detailed on. But as for results for the tasting I did on my own I very much preferred the “Budget” and “Medium Expensive” teas over the higher priced ones. 680 was my favorite of the 4, so much so that I will be buying a full cake in the future.

The results for the group tasting very different. 1 of the 3 favored the “Budget” tea over all others while the other 2 both favored the higher priced teas. So that’s 4 tasters, all with 3 different results. What does this mean? It means exactly what I thought going into the experiment which is that while price may reflect the material used to make the teas, it in no way reflects taste, and therefore a high price does not mean the teas will be good or bad. Ultimately taste is up to the drinker or the individual. And so what I think you should take from this as either a beginner, intermediate or well experience Puerh drinker is that should pay little attention to price and more to your gut.

Judge based on not only the price, but also the look of the tea, the description, reviews, and if you want to jump in that deep, where the tea was harvested and stored. But ultimately don’t avoid buying a Puerh because it’s classed as “Budget” and don’t buy because it’s expensive “Gushu”.

[nyaam]

#ancienttree #naturephotography #treephoto #naturecore #woodland #inthewoods🌲 #autumn🍁 #naturlovers #bosque https://www.instagram.com/p/CkTPmqkottK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ailishsinclair]

A splendid Yew at Deer Abbey for #thicktrunktuesday #trees #yew #yewtree #abbey #ruins #oldtree #ancienttree (at Deer Abbey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTOqVJxgqPE/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mybookof-you]

The Post Tree by William Horton Photography https://flic.kr/p/NGsaih

[cookingwithkimberly]

#tamarisk #tamarix #saltcedar #blooms ... This is an #ancienttree with #ancientmedicine - it's a highly #medicinalplant that is so very #beautiful & actually quite a #rarefind . #pinkflowers #flowers #pink #feathertree #selfsufficiency #selfreliance #permaculture #healthy #organic #vegan #vegetarian #hardinesszone6 #niagara #summer #august #trees #perennials #foodforest * Subscribe to #cookingwithkimberly - http://cookingwithkimberly.com #webchefkimberly #cooking https://www.instagram.com/p/CSHbf9EHzB-/?utm_medium=tumblr

[angel-teavivre]

Jingmai Ancient Tree Raw Pu-erh Cake is selected from the ancient tea trees on the 1500 meters high mountain in Jingmai as material, and processed by the traditional methods. The tea was harvested in spring which coincides with the dry season in Yunnan. Less precipitation and plenty of sunshine are contribute to the formation of aromatic substances in tea trees.

Open up the cotton package, we can smell the orchid fragrance of the dry leaves. Compared with the Jingmai Single Bush Ancient Tree Raw Pu-erh Cake Tea 2018, this tea has more prominent orchid aroma, which can last to the sixth steep. The first steep is soft with fresh aroma; after the forth steep, the liquid becomes rich and mellow. Swallowing the smooth liquid, the slight bitterness will immediately disappear, followed by a sweet aftertaste in mouth and throat. Even when we finished a cup of tea, the orchid fragrance still remains in the tea cup for a long time.