YOUR STORIES

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  "Trees have a majestic beauty and a calming presence. I am lucky enough to work in woodland and they certainly contribute to my well-being. My favourite tree is an old coppiced hornbeam with gently twisting trunks and holes in the bowl. It’s big enough to sit in and rest a while. In early summer it is surrounded by early purple orchids. Without trees what a desolate place this country would be. With climate change it is now a reality trees are more important than ever. Trees are important in connecting children with nature. What young person can resist climbing a tree if given the chance."
  
  Joanne
  
  Image: Dave Atkinson

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  "Being a carpenter for over 40 years, creating homes and building all sorts of things, I know how much we need our woods and trees. Without them I would not have had the satisfying life I have had. In my spare time I wander through the woods and just enjoy all of the wildlife within. A place to reflect, to have fun, to connect to mother earth, bringing out the child from within. Oh the Freedom of just feeling alive."
  
  Brenda
  
  Image: Richard West

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  "Moving to a rural location with a small woodland area has made me learn about tree management and how they should not be ignored but enjoyed. Coppicing hazel, (its traditional and modern uses, local coppicing groups, hurdles, bean and pea sticks etc), tree shapes, ivy management, pruning, holly containment, glory of the ash, willow management, wood piles for insects and wildlife, uses of wood chippings (glorious path now through the wood, weed suppressor, compost), plentiful supply of firewood (and friends wanting some too!), the glories of annual leaf clearing (no gyms needed) and leaf mould (where does it all go?), great compost for the garden, stakes aplenty, branches to hang art works on and…..honey fungus! Life is never dull when you have a wood and too few people take good care of the trees they have in their gardens I feel education required please!"
  
  Rosalind
  
  Image: Geraldine Gray  

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  "When I became unemployed 5 years ago, I decided to take up an old hobby of whittling/carving walking sticks to fill in the time between job applications. I used the pieces of wood that I found as deadfall or that were coppiced in the process of clearing areas. Originally I gave these carvings as gifts to family and friends, but increasingly I was being asked to carve larger items for people to buy from me. This led me to look at different, quicker methods, which is where I discovered chainsaw carving. I then went on a forestry chainsaw course to learn how to use the machine correctly and safely. And for the last 4 years I have been a professional chainsaw carver with my customers being all over the UK and internationally, I have featured in my local press and in a national forestry magazine as well."
  
  Barrie
  
  Image: thehillyfield  

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  "A trial of all the best cider apples to be found was planted in 1933 and the trial lasted for 8 years to find the best. It was to be grubbed but due to WWII there were no people to do this. I became interested in the different varieties, and an old orchard worker I had known all my life produced a plan of the orchard and the trial saying "you should have this". Now we have propagated over 60 trees – 3 of every variety which are planted as standard in triangles. Hopefully there will be more. If the future of good cider is to survive, these cultivars may be needed. The orchard is adjacent to the Woodland Trust’s Drovers Wood."
  
  Pippin
  
  Image: James Murnaghan