Navigating with Trees in Cities
London plane trees are tall, broad-canopied trees with mottled bark that flakes away in patches of cream, grey, and olive. This gives their bark a…
Tag: trees
How to Navigate with Tree Trunks
From my book, How to Read a Tree, The whole tree responds to wind and this includes the trunk. Most are ‘skinny into wind’. Walk…
Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest in East Sussex will hide from your life for years, but when it makes an entrance, it will also make an impression. For…
The Meaning of Tree Branches
In nature, shapes are stories. There are always a hundred stories in every tree, because there are a hundred branches, each with its own tale…
The Hidden Seasons
A Calendar of Nature’s Clues and Signs ‘When we know what to look for and what it means, seasonal moments that were once hidden shine…
A Word from an Italian Arboriculturist
In March I travelled to Rome and Milan to launch the Italian edition of How to Read a Tree (Lleggere gli alberi). After a talk…
How to Sense Invisible Animals
We can sense invisible animals by keeping a look out for the ‘shimmy’. The shimmy is my name for the way we can sense animals…
The Challenge of Ageing Trees
Some tree-reading scribblings from a natural navigation challenge in the New Forest, Hampshire, last year… Life, Death and the Challenge of Ageing Trees Gales that…
How to Use Plants to Map Wet Ground
All plants need water and all plants are sensitive to the levels of water in the ground. This means that every plant can make a…
8am. Which Way Are We Looking?
I took the above photo in Sussex at 8am. Which direction are we looking and why? There are some weak clues in the tree branches, slightly…
A Natural Map of Canopy Gaps
Gaps in the canopy can be a real blessing, especially when navigating under dense coniferous woodland. You might also enjoy: The Beginner’s Guide to Natural…
The ‘Leaves on the Line’ Problem
For many years, British commuters have found themselves caught between bemused laughter and rage when told their train isn’t running because of ‘leaves on the…
The Overview Effect
My thanks to Peter Noble for making me aware of the expression ‘Overview Effect’ (and for the kind feedback). Hi Tristan, Just to say thank…
Paperbacks of the Year
A big thank you to Waterstones for selecting How to Read a Tree as one of their ‘Paperbacks of the Year 2024’. You can explore…
Sign of the Week
For outdoor clues, signs, puzzles and more, please subscribe to my SIGN OF THE WEEK newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/naturalnavigator/sign-of-the-week
What is Deer Pronking or Stotting?
Pronking (or Stotting) is a common defensive signal amongst deer and some other quadruped prey mammals. From the book, Wild Signs and Star Paths (Published…
Which Way Are We Walking? Ibiza Edition
Which direction are we walking in the video below? Hint…There are clues in the sun, plants and water. Answer… Spoiler alert… The sun is mid-height,…
What Time is It?
What time was this video taken? There are clues in the sun, shadows, church, trees, clouds, grasses and more. Answer below. Spoiler Alert… Answers below……
Tree Trunks Lean Away From Buildings
Tree trunks lean away from the shade of buildings and towards the light. This habit tends to override the normal biases towards southern light, because…
What are Elephants’ Toes in Trees?
Elephants’ toes are the nickname for the way the bottom of a tree trunk flares out towards the prevailing wind. In the video above and…
Woodland Trust Ambassador Paperback Launch
Hi, I’m Tristan Gooley and I’m very proud to be a Woodland Trust Ambassador. I’ve spent decades researching, teaching and writing about clues and signs…