What are the vertical marks and scars on tree bark?
An explanation for some of the mysterious vertical marks and scars we find on trees.
Tag: forestry
Woodland Trust Podcast
I recently went for a woodland walk with the BBC journalist Adam Shaw. We talked about the clues and signs we can look in trees…
The Art of Perception in Nature
Take a good look at this photo before reading on… Did you spot it? We notice anomalies, colours or shapes that don’t ‘fit’ – that…
The Meaning of Wood Pigeons
It is hard to go for a country walk and not send a wood pigeon or two up into the air ahead of us. Their…
Foxgloves Face Away From the Forest
Foxgloves – Digitalis purpurea – are a sign you are near the edge of the woods. The flowers point away from the trees.
Nature’s Clues & Signs 2 – Brockenhurst, New Forest
Recently I visited the town of Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. The New Forest is famous for its unique landscapes of ‘forest pasture’…
What are the Coloured Paint Marks on Trees?
If you walk in or near woods regularly, you will have come across splotches of bright coloured paint on the tree trunks. What are they?…
The ‘Escape from the Woods Effect’ in Trees
Have a look at the trees at the edge of any woodland and you’ll notice that the branches appear to grow away from the wood…
Great Mullein Marks Roads
Cracking email in from Canada… Hi Tristan Excellent newsletter, thanks very much! Just thought I would mention something I noticed while out in the Hills…
The Avenue Effect in Trees
My thanks to Alun for sending in this photo of autumn colour near the Kitano Tenman-Gu Shrine in Kyoto. And the following question: “I saw…
How to Find Your Way Using Ivy
A short video explaining how to find north or south and make a map in the woods using ivy (Hedera helix). You might also enjoy:…
Forestry England Outdoor Clue Mini-Films
I was in the woods yesterday with the team from Forestry England. There will be some new outdoor clue mini-films coming soon – watch this…
What’s the difference between ‘windthrow’ and ‘windsnap’ in trees?
And how can they help me find my way in the woods? Both ‘windthrow’ and ‘windsnap’ are names given by foresters to trees that have…