Autumn aspen

Autumnal leaves

Three individual leaves, showing the advance of autumn.
Oak first..

...then goat willow


...and hazel to conclude

A Job for the Autumn

An important job to do this autumn is to check woodlands planted last winter for any trees and shrubs which have died. The coloured mark on each tube helps identify those with a dead tree which will be replanted in the coming winter. This process of replacing dead trees is know as "Beating-up". A Scots pine which has not survived and will be replaced this winter.

A healthy ash tree.

Wet day out and about........

This was me out and about today near Gairlochy, at the west end of Loch Lochy, near Spean Bridge, doing a woodland inspection and seeing how this area had moved forwards over 10 years.

Also took the opportunity to deliver aspen trees to Corrour Estate, for use in a new native woodland planting scheme near Loch Ossian.

167 miles on the clock.

All in a day for just one of us at Scottish Native Woods.

Through the trees........

Misty day on Loch Lochy

Insch Marshes, Speyside

Willows in the marshes

A yellow aspen tree

Autumn Colours in Glen Lyon

Big Conifers at Meggernie

Aspen at Cashlie, Glen Lyon

Autumn on the Lyon

Looking down the Lyon

A scary cat.......

This photo is off an oil painting by Fortingall artist Eric Timms. The wildcat, Felix sylvestris, is one of our native mammals, associated mostly with pinewoods. There are only believed to be about 400 of them left. The main threat to the species is in interbreeding with domestic cats, and a full spectrum of hybrids exist.

Hazel gloves in the limelight

Spent a day on Treshnish Farm on Mull last week filming in the woods...

....here's Atlantic Hazel Action Group member & lichenologist Andy Acton introducing Sarah Mack from Landward to some of the hidden delights of Atlantic Hazelwoods.

...& a shot of the star of the show, hazel glove fungus getting the close up treatment.

Golden Pools

Despite the overcast skies, the intense autumn colour of this aspen tree helps brightens up the landscape of Deeside this week.

As the leaves fall from the tree, they collected in the burn to form colourful pools and "rock art".

These leaves provide a valuable source of organic matter in these upland burns as they decay, feeding a production line of invertebrates which in turn feed larger animals such as salmonid fish.

Mystery moth

Noticed this little beauty at the kitchen door yesterday.  I have consulted my books but no clue as to what it might be.  Such a delicate green colour.  If you know can you please add to comments and put me out of my misery.  Thanks

Mystery moth

With my forefinger in shot for size reference.

Doing well........

These are some of the many prizes won by the kids at Camserney Community garden over the summer.....displayed in a gazebo funded by Scottish Native Woods via the People's Postcode Trust.

Autumn Colours

Looking up to Drummond Hill

Toto and the Aspens

The Fraser Yew

In Highland, yew trees are rare outside churchyards, policy woods and gardens. The Fraser Yew lies in native woodland above Loch Ness. The location is fairly remote, the tree spreads over a wide area and it seems inconceivable that it was planted.

Tradition has it that this tree was the gathering point of the Frasers of Knockie. These fighting men cut their bows from the yew, and their clan badge, a yew sprig.

Hazel nuts

An hour in a West coast Hazelwood yielded a reasonable haul of nuts, with plenty left in the wood for the squirrels and mice. This collection has now been squirreled away safe from mice so that they can be planted next year.

Autumn Colours developing nicely.....

Another great photo from Kristina Hayward.

Out and about in Highland Perthshire

This was a visit to Inchgarth above keltneyburn in Highland Perthshire yesterday, advising on possible woodland management options and assessing whether an area of ground might be suitable for a sizeable planting scheme.

Up above the mist

Closer.......Drummond Hill

The Keltneyburn road towards Tummel Bridge & Rannoch

Potential planting area........

I was looking at this area to see whether it would be suited to planting under the new Forestry Commission leasing scheme.

Lone birch tree turning yellow.......