Marvellous May, 2025
Writing this at the end of May, I can certainly say that this has been a really marvellous month. Hardly any rain (though obviously that brings its own trials), mostly quite warm and generally flora and fauna seem to be thriving at the moment. IN THE GARDEN From the scent of lilacs and the promise …...
Otley blooms
As we reach the end of April, Otley’s hedgerows, fields and patches of woodland and groaning with greenery and putting on their best blooms. So what can you see around us at the moment? Well, ash trees have mostly still not sprouted, but our oaks are in varied stages of leaf – some very green, …...
Otley’s Platinum Jubilee Oak
Part of the celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee in 2022 is the ‘Queen’s Green Canopy’ or ‘Treebilee’ – the planting of trees throughout the kingdom. In March 2022, a native oak was planted in our village. It was provided by the East Suffolk council and kindly planted by Chris Taylor....
Elderflower tea anyone?
The elder tree: a tree respected for centuries, esteemed for its provision of food and health benefits to mankind, and still sharing itself with us today. Elderflower tea, anyone? Despite it being such an important tree species in the UK, many of us might struggle to identify an elder tree – especially as it’s more …...
Hawthorn or blackthorn?
Hedges of frothy white blossom flanking our roads and pathways are just one of the joyous signs of spring. But what is the blossom that so beautifully proclaims the changing of the seasons? It’s possible that, along with many others, you might assume that the first hedgerow flowers belong to hawthorn bushes. But think again. …...
WANTED: Fluffy female for lonely male black poplar
Back in the day, black poplar trees were one of the most prolific trees in East Anglia. The species is now one of the most endangered native trees in the UK. There are many subspecies but the rare one is the Populus Nigra Betulifolia. We are lucky enough to have a good sized black poplar …...