Week 52
I have been worrying about the saplings I have transplanted and am astonished by the number I have seen. I keep finding them, often in unexpected places. Some are up to five metres high. They must have been growing for several years without me noticing. There is something pleasing about transplanting trees that were grown on my land and have not been imported. After all, that is renaturing. My worry is the distance I have left between them. As saplings this may not seem important but as they grow, I wish to ensure that each survives without forcibly competing with another. So far, I have transplanted three hollies, one chestnut[i], one sycamore, one rowan, and an ash. I am unintentionally creating a small copse.
A copse is defined as a small group of trees, although there is no specific size or number. The word comes from the 1570s and is a contraction of the word coppice. This was a small wood where trees were grown specifically to be felled and used. The practice of coppicing is a sustainable forestry technique that is still employed today. Trees are cut down very close to their stump and the wood is then used for whatever is decided. The tree puts out a new shoot from the stump and grows again. After a few years it can be reharvested, a procedure that can be repeated indefinitely. The trees do not die of old age because they are constantly being reborn[ii].
When planting a copse, the distance between young trees is variable but I generally work on 3 metres. My rule of thumb is that if a hammock[iii] can be slung between two trees, the distance between them is sufficient, but I am the son of a sailor. Some say the distance between trees can be 2 metres[iv], but for me that is too little. In addition to the distance between each sapling, there is also the space between a tree and any nearby building to consider. A typical two-storey home can be 25 feet high while many trees will grow to three times this height. The safe distance between a building and a tree varies. For large, aggressive trees such as poplar or willow, they should ideally be 30 metres from a building. Medium-sized trees such as birch should be at least 7 metres away, while smaller trees should be at least 3 metres distant[v].
This gives me a problem, as I have plenty of trees close to my house. Thanks to renaturing, a willow has popped up 3 metres from a bay window and is already 6 metres tall. I do not have the heart to move it. A willow can grow 10 feet each year and rapidly reach its maximum height of 75 feet, way above my house, as well as showing a spread of 30 feet[vi]. My bay window will one day be occluded unless I act now.
Size control is one option and there are different techniques for this. At one extreme is bonsai. This is a Japanese term which, literally translated, means “planted in a container”. The art form, and it is a form of art, is derived from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was then redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism. It has been around for over a thousand years. The goal of growing a bonsai is to create a miniaturised but realistic representation of Nature in the form of a tree. Bonsai are not genetically dwarfed plants. Any species of tree can be used to grow one[vii].
For a larger tree, there are different ways of controlling its size. Reduction is one common technique that is best accomplished by pruning back the leaders[viii] and branch terminals to lateral branches that are large enough to assume the terminal roles. Compared with topping, reduction helps maintain the form and structural integrity of a tree[ix]. Reduction is my aim for the copse-in-waiting, a few bare metres from my house.
There is a problem with renaturing, indeed with horticulture generally. It is that Nature has the upper hand, in the same way as the planet will always win - all I can do is follow and vaguely steer. If a tree seedling decides that a certain location is where it wishes to grow, that is what will happen. Flowers spring up throughout the year in many different spots. I may be better at identifying them now than I was when I first started renaturing, but I can still be easily mistaken.
It is why I believe in labelling. When a plant is intentionally seeded, perhaps springs up unannounced, a bulb is buried, or a plug is used, everything seems simple. Yet rapidly the situation becomes more complex. The grass soon grows longer, the new plant becomes surrounded, and despite what I once thought was my good memory, I rapidly forget what I have planted, and where. It seems almost as if the vegetation is playing games and is certainly more resilient than I thought. For example, I once planted Lily of the Valley in one spot, but it appeared in another. The same happened with snowdrops. A Norway maple tree miraculously materialised beside my pond without the least input from me, and how an alder sapling appeared in the centre of my land, when there are no alders within a kilometre, escapes me. Meanwhile, a rhododendron that I was sure had died suddenly sprang to life, a holly with root rot got better, an ash tree appeared when I did nothing, and a larch did the same. As for silver birch, I have dozens, yet have done nothing to propagate them at all. These days I label most things I see, as I soon forget what and where I have planted, or the plants that spring up unexpectedly. If you wish to find the rightful place of mankind in the kingdom of all living things, just start renaturing. Within a few weeks you will end up following in Nature’s slipstream.
Unfortunately, labels come with problems. They can be made from many different materials and there is plenty of choice[x]. Copper, zinc, wood, ceramic, rusted metal, cast iron, painted stone, plastic, and more. I avoid plastic and wood as a label material. Plastic just looks bad, especially with the world being poisoned by the material[xi], and wood speedily fades and rots[xii]. I have chosen slate, which certainly looks natural in Lakeland. The stone is very durable, and there is plenty around[xiii]. The labels I use are both short and long, and the manufacturers encourage the use of soapstone[xiv] to write on the label’s surface. I do so, but soapstone writing does not last for long in a Lakeland downpour, so I soon have a blank label and no idea what I have planted. There is the added disadvantage of my writing, which is illegible at the best of times. Nowadays, instead of soapstone, I use silver paint to write on my labels, as paint-on-slate seems able to withstand the rigours of Lakeland renaturing.
There are also the passers-by, these days there are plenty, and they love to read labels. Sometimes they will pluck the label from the ground to read it but forget to put it back[xv]. On occasion they will twist a label round so they can read it more easily and will often bend any support I have used to hold the label. From time to time, they will tread on a label and break it. I do like to encourage interest in renaturing, and the more visitors the better, but I do wish they would be more careful with my labels.
My tool shed is an embarrassment as it is so untidy. I consider myself well organised but if an untidy tool shed reflects my thinking, perhaps I am not as organised as I think. I take heart from the great Albert Einstein, who is reported as saying[xvi]:
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
I wish I had met Einstein to thank him.
It seems that untidiness is more in the eye of the beholder than the untidy person. Plenty of research has been done on this[xvii]. A major issue of my untidy tool shed is that I have great difficulty in finding tools when I need them. I can sometimes persuade myself that I never had the tool in the first place. Down to the shops I then go to buy the tool only to discover later that I had one all along. It is why I now have three spades, five rakes, two trowels, six hoses, five brushes, and plenty more besides. Untidiness can also damage the tools themselves. For example, my wire rakes are bent, my axes partly blunt, and each of my five brushes is broken. I am not happy about any of them, and only have myself to blame. My family and friends agree.
You have it. It is time to tidy my tool shed.
Another week and another storm in Lakeland. This time it was Storm Pia[xviii] with its mighty winds and rain. At least there was no snow. The last snowfall has now melted and left my land looking shabby. Yet there is something I like about wind, as I watch the trees bend and hear the speeding air as it passes over and through me. Storm Pia had all of that, and more.
Wind, and Lakeland sees plenty of it, is simply air in motion. In meteorology, when talking about the wind, it is the horizontal speed and direction that is described. For example, if a report is given of a westerly wind at 15mph (24 km/hr), it means the horizontal winds will be coming from the west at that speed[xix].
Wind is caused by uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun. Because this surface is made up of different types of land and water, the Earth absorbs the sun's heat at different rates. One example of this uneven heating is the daily wind cycle. During the day, air above land heats up faster than air above water. As the warm air above the land expands and rises, so the heavier, cooler air rushes in to take its place. Wind is the result. At night, the winds are reversed because air cools more rapidly over land than it does over water. In the same way, the atmospheric winds that circle the earth are created because the land near the earth's equator is hotter than the land near North and South Poles[xx].
Wind also has a psychological effect[xxi]. I notice that within me. Research has found that wind direction influences anxiety and energy levels. Wind from the wrong direction, and that varies from person to person, makes mankind feel under par, while wind from the correct direction can lower anxiety and increase energy[xxii]. For me, I prefer a gentle breeze to total stillness. As for direction, please make it a westerly.
Hills and valleys substantially distort airflow. I only have to look around me to see the rocky surfaces, high ridges, sheer cliffs, and steep valleys of Lakeland, which all combine to produce unpredictable flow patterns and turbulence. Strong up and down drafts develop as the air flows upwards over hills and downwards into valleys. Wind direction changes as the air flows around the many hills. I can see several mountain passes from my land. The wind will rush through these passes, as it might through a tunnel, and with considerable speed.
For my land, wind is a regular feature, albeit of different strengths and directions. There are many advantages to wind, including:
1. Pollination and Seed Dispersal
Wind plays a major role in pollination and seed dispersal. Many native plants are anemophilous, meaning they rely on wind for pollination[xxiii]. Most conifers, and about 12% of the world’s flowering plants, pollinate in this way[xxiv]. Anemophilous flowers are often not brightly coloured or scented, as they have no need to attract insects. Instead, they produce a large quantity of pollen that is carried away by the wind, increasing the likelihood of pollination[xxv]. A good example is the dandelion. For reference, insect-pollinated plants are entomophilous[xxvi].
Many plants have seeds that are adapted to be windborne, with features such as wings or parachutes, allowing them to be carried over considerable distances[xxvii]. Think of the helicopter seeds of the field maple, ash, and sycamore. This natural seed dispersal ensures that plants can colonise new areas, thereby promoting a resilient ecosystem.
2. Natural Pest Control
Another advantage of wind is its contribution to natural pest control[xxviii]. Wind can act as a physical barrier to flying insects, particularly those that are weak fliers, such as aphids[xxix] and whiteflies[xxx]. Sadly, the number of flying insects in the UK has declined by nearly 60% in less than 20 years[xxxi], even without the barrier of wind. However, when wind is responsible, a reduction in the number of pests helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem without the need for chemical pesticides.
Wind can also disrupt the life cycles of pests. For example, strong winds can dislodge eggs and larvae from plants, and reduce the future populations of pests. This natural form of pest management aligns with the principles of sustainable land management[xxxii].
3. Microclimate Regulation
Wind also plays a crucial role in regulating any microclimates. There are plenty of those on my land. By influencing temperature and humidity, which are critical factors for plant survival, a breeze can moderate high temperatures during hot weather and lessen the risk of plant heat stress[xxxiii]. Wind can also reduce humidity levels around plants and help prevent the growth of fungal diseases, which thrive in moist conditions. Adequate air circulation that helps keep foliage dry and healthy can reduce the incidence of plant diseases[xxxiv].
Sadly, wind is not always good. It does have some disadvantages, including:
1. Plant Damage
Strong winds can exert a physical stress on plants, especially young saplings, and delicate species. This can result in windthrow, where trees are uprooted or broken by wind[xxxv]. In addition, persistent high winds can cause desiccation, or windscorch, and lead to the drying out of essential plant tissues and increased transpiration rates[xxxvi]. This is especially detrimental in times of limited water availability. Wind can also abrade a plant’s surface. This occurs when wind-driven particles - sand or small debris - strike plants, remove surface layers, and expose the plants to pathogens or further environmental stress[xxxvii].
2. Soil Erosion
Wind plays a significant role in soil erosion, particularly in open or sparsely vegetated areas[xxxviii]. This removal of topsoil by wind is not only detrimental to plant life but can also lead to the loss of nutrients and organic matter, which are vital for a healthy ecosystem. This can be exacerbated when the soil is dry and loose, although can be mitigated by increased vegetation cover[xxxix]. Soil erosion by wind contributes to the deposition of eroded material in adjacent areas. This can lead to the smothering of other plants and can disrupt the local ecosystem[xl].
3. Impact on Wildlife
The impact of wind on wildlife is multifaceted. For smaller animals and birds, strong winds pose significant challenges. For example, high winds can hinder the flying ability of birds[xli] and insects. This can impact foraging patterns and breeding and lead to a decline in populations. Once again, ecological balance is disturbed.
As for noise, this is often generated by strong winds and can interfere with the acoustic signals that many animals use for communication[xlii]. This can affect mating calls, territorial establishment, and predator-prey interactions, each of which can be disastrous.
Wind is more than wind. It is seriously important.
***
Acknowledgement
Take it from me - none of this would be possible without the help of RSG Horticulture. Rufus, who runs it, has far more energy than me and is full of ideas and skills. Do contact him through https://www.rsghorticulture.com.
Hashtags
#Renaturing #Rewilding #TreeTransplanting #SustainableForestry #CoppicingTechnique #TreeSpacing #UrbanGreenery #BonsaiArt #TreeReduction #NatureVsNurture #PlantLabelling #GardenOrganization #StormPiaLakeland #WindEffects #PollinationByWind #NaturalPestControl #MicroclimateRegulation #PlantWindDamage #SoilErosionPrevention #WildlifeAndWind #EcofriendlyGardening
References
[i] Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). See https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/aeshipa.pdf. Accessed 20 December 2023. See weeks 23, 34 and 38 entries.
[ii] Askew S. What is the difference between a forest, a wood, and a copse? 19 May 2023. See https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-difference-between-forest-wood-copse-steven-askew/. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[iii] Your ultimate guide on hanging hammocks outdoors. 2 March 2021. See https://www.hammockuniverse.com/blogs/hammock-blog/your-ultimate-guide-on-hanging-hammocks-outdoors#:~:text=Distance%20Between%20Trees&text=For%20example%2C%20a%2013%2Dfoot,chain%20to%20suspend%20your%20hammock. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[iv] How to plant a tree. See https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/advice/how-to-plant/#:~:text=How%20much%20space%20do%20the,place%20your%20trees%2030cm%20apart. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[v] Give them room! Spacing trees correctly. See https://www.thetreecenter.com/give-room-spacing-trees-correctly/. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[vi] Everything you need to know about willow hybrid trees. 22 July 2022. See https://www.thisoldhouse.com/gardening/reviews/willow-hybrid-trees#:~:text=Appearance,spread%20is%2020%2D30%20feet. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[vii] Definition and meaning. See https://www.bonsaiempire.com/origin/what-is-bonsai#:~:text=The%20word%20“Bon%2Dsai”,influence%20of%20Japanese%20Zen%20Buddhism. Accessed 23 December 2023.
[viii] Introduction to pruning and young tree care. See https://www.sfpublicworks.org/sites/default/files/Pruning%20and%20Young%20Tree%20Care.pdf. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[ix] Wikipedia. Pruning. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruning#:~:text=Reducing%20the%20height%20or%20spread%20of%20a%20tree%20is%20best%20accomplished%20by%20pruning%20back%20the%20leaders%20and%20branch%20terminals%20to%20lateral%20branches%20that%20are%20large%20enough%20to%20assume%20the%20terminal%20roles%20%28at%20least%20one-third%20the%20diameter%20of%20the%20cut%20stem%29. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[x] Burke N. Our favourite plant labels for the garden. 2 March 2023. See https://www.gardenary.com/blog/our-favorite-plant-labels-for-the-garden. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[xi] Singla V, Hoover D, Kar A. Problem plastics are poisoning people and polluting the planet. 9 November 2023. See https://www.nrdc.org/bio/veena-singla/problem-plastics-are-poisoning-people-and-polluting-planet#:~:text=Plastics%20are%20poisoning%20our%20air,after%20comprehensively%20reviewing%20existing%20data. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[xii] See https://www.facebook.com/BBCGardenersWorld/photos/a.1842735465952273/2283821255177023/?type=3. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[xiii] Everything you should know about slates of the UK. 19 February 2020. See https://www.ukslate.com/everything-you-should-know-about-slates-of-the-uk/. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[xiv] Wikipedia. Soapstone. Also known as steatite and soaprock, it is mainly comprised of talc. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soapstone. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[xv] Westhorpe T. What’s the best way to label garden plants? 17 April 2023. See https://www.richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk/whats-the-best-way-to-label-garden-plants/. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[xvi] Albert Einstein was wrong. See https://philosophycommunication.com/branding/albert-einstein-wrong/#:~:text=Albert%20Einstein%20once%20asked%2C%20“if,an%20empty%20desk%20a%20sign%3F. Accessed 20 December 2023.
[xvii] Horgan TG, Herzog NK, Dyszlewski SM. Does your messy office make your mind look cluttered? Office appearance and perceivers' judgments about the owner's personality. Personality and Individual Differences. 2019 Feb 1;138:370-9.
[xviii] 60mph batter Cumbria as Storm Pia arrives. 20 December 2023. See https://keswickreminder.co.uk/2023/12/20/80mph-winds-set-to-batter-cumbria-this-week/. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xix] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Origin of wind. See https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/origin-of-wind#:~:text=Wind%20is%20simply%20air%20in,the%20west%20at%20that%20speed. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xx] U.S. Energy Information Administration. Wind explained. 19 December 2022. See https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/wind/#:~:text=Wind%20is%20caused%20by%20uneven,is%20the%20daily%20wind%20cycle. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxi] Bos EH, Hoenders R, de Jonge P. Wind direction and mental health: a time-series analysis of weather influences in a patient with anxiety disorder. Case Reports 2012;2012:bcr2012006300.
[xxii] Hammer AJ. Does the wind cause anxiety? 21 March 2021. See https://www.amyjhammer.com/blog/my-trouble-with-the-wind#:~:text=Some%20research%20has%20found%20that,less%20anxious%20and%20more%20energetic. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxiii] Niklas,KJ. The aerodynamics of wind pollination. Bot. Rev 51, 328–386 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02861079
[xxiv] U.S. Forest Service. Wind and water pollination. See https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/wind.shtml. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxv] Friedman J, Barrett SC. Wind of change: new insights on the ecology and evolution of pollination and mating in wind-pollinated plants. Annals of botany. 2009 Jun 1;103(9):1515-27.
[xxvi] Differentiate between anemophily and entomophily. 22 December 2023. See https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/differentiate-between-anemophily-and-entomophily-class-11-biology-cbse-5f77de6ece21e957aa083967. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxvii] Identifying helicopter seeds. See https://mynaturenook.com/helicopter-seeds/#:~:text=Helicopter%20seeds%20are%20winged%20seeds,for%20food%2C%20water%20and%20sunlight. Accessed 22 December 2023
[xxviii] MacDonald M. How does wind effect pest control? 7 June 2017. See https://www.rovepestcontrol.com/how-does-wind-effect-pest-control/#:~:text=Higher%20wind%20speeds%20can%20increase,of%20pests%20issues%20from%20them. Accessed 22 December 2023
[xxix] RHS. Aphids. Aphids are sap-sucking insects, they have many predators and are the basis for many food chains. The sap sucking can cause a lack of plant vigour, distorted growth and often excrete a sticky substance (honeydew) on which sooty moulds can grow. Some aphids transmit plant viruses. See https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/aphids. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxx] RHS. Glasshouse whitefly. Glasshouse whitefly is a common sap-feeding insect, mainly of houseplants and greenhouse plants. They excrete a sticky substance (honeydew), which allows the growth of sooty moulds. See https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/glasshouse-whitefly. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxxi] Bugs Matter survey finds that UK flying insects have declined by nearly 60% in less than 20 years. 5 May 2022.
[xxxii] Skendžić S, Zovko M, Živković IP, Lešić V, Lemić D. The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Insect Pests. Insects. 2021 May 12;12(5):440. doi: 10.3390/insects12050440.
[xxxiii] Zhao J, Lu Z, Wang L, Jin B. Plant Responses to Heat Stress: Physiology, Transcription, Noncoding RNAs, and Epigenetics. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Dec 24;22(1):117. doi: 10.3390/ijms22010117.
[xxxiv] Odle T. How does wind affect transpiration. See https://plantaddicts.com/how-does-wind-affect-transpiration/. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxxv] Windthrow. https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/climate-change/risks/windthrow/. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxxvi] Wind scorch. In winter, evergreen plants are prone to wind scorch (also known as leaf scorch). This is caused by cold winds and poor soil conditions resulting in scorched, brown, dry leaves. See https://www.rhs.org.uk/prevention-protection/wind-scorch. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxxvii] Weather damage. The development of brown leaves or dieback of shoots on a much valued specimen can be alarming but does not necessarily mean you will lose the plant. More often than not, brown leaves, dieback, wilting and leaf drop are caused by weather damage; such as drought, waterlogging, snow, frost or hail. See https://www.rhs.org.uk/prevention-protection/weather-damage. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxxviii] Vegetation can help prevent soil erosion due to wind. See https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150120142706.htm. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xxxix] Wind erosion. See https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/65217/wind-erosion.pdf. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xl] Wind erosion. See https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/land-and-soil/soil-degradation/wind-erosion#:~:text=It%20can%20cause%20significant%20economic,air%20to%20create%20dust%20storms. Accessed 22 December 2023.
[xli] Allen FH. Effect of wind on flight speeds. The Auk. 1939 Jul 1;56(3):291-303.
[xlii] McNett GD, Luan LH, Cocroft RB. Wind-induced noise alters signaler and receiver behavior in vibrational communication. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 2010 Dec;64:2043-51.
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