Scotland's Native Trees and Shrubs
Using the right species is not enough
Trees are gregarious. They prefer to be with companions, living together in communities for mutual benefit. Within these communities trees form intimate relationships with one another - holly shelters close to the bowl of oak trees, whilst honeysuckle climbs high up the trees' trunks. All three share the same root space. The oak tree attracts as many as 300 insect species, the honeysuckle shares the oak's insects and attracts another range during hours of darkness. Birds roost and nest in the branches and eat the insects. Squirrels eat the acorns, lichen grows on the bark, fungi on the roots and so on - a complexity of creatures and organisms living independent yet inextricably linked lives. Precise understanding of this intricate web of life is beyond most of us. We may not understand how it all fits together, but students and scholars alike agree - evolution has shown the way to design efficient woodlands.
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Honeysuckle growing high into the canopy of an oak tree. The nocturnal scent attracts moths to take over from the day shift of diurnal insects. The combination in springtime of early morning mist, dew and lingering scent gives honeysuckle impregnated woodland an unforgettable and sensual appeal. | Ivy is an undervalued component of woodland. It grows up, down and along. It grows in shade and in direct light. It transforms deciduous trees into semi-evergreens. It produces food and shelter for wildlife. Yes, it can also inhibit ground flora, but with biodiversity in mind are there not lesser known forms of life in and under the matted growth that deserve a home? |