Being a woodland garden, the trees, in and around us, have a huge impact. Untouched for decades, the soil is fertile; rich in nutrients that allow complex root systems to thrive.
Small saplings develop, gaining majesty and gravitas as the years pass by. Here, the distinctive bark of the Ghost Tree provides a textured backdrop to the Lent Lillies; small, native wild daffodils which love to naturalise in the grass under trees and in deciduous woodland. Ash saplings burst forth with abandon in our hillside micro-climate and one, once tiny sapling, now towers high above the copper beech which, until last year, cut a distinctive silhouette on the summer skyline. The Beech cannot match the vigour of the Ash. Signs of the tree's distress are clearly visible; pale washed out leaves on unbalanced branches blocked from sunlight by the Ash canopy. In ancient tree lore, the Ash represents the linking of the inner and outer worlds; macrocosm and microcosm. It is interesting to see nature illustrating this concept with such simplicity, but in the language of the trees it is clear that the space is too small for both to thrive. With heavy hearts we have decided to allow the Beech space to develop its full potential; the tree surgeon is booked this morning to fell its companion.
Unexpectedly, there has been a stay of execution for the Ash; the arbourculturist has severed a tendon in his hand over the weekend. So for now, we'll carry on as before, letting Nature take her course.
