Holly Bears a Berry

Some will have it that trees spreading across the previously stark moorland are a pernicious threat and that nothing should interfere with the purity of the artificially created habitats of upland heath. These may be people who probably also go into raptures at the thought of similar artificial landscapes like supermarket car parks and motorways. Often they misleadingly imply that it is only birch 'scrub' that forms this secondary woodland. But Blacka Moor challenges that view. Surprise is everywhere a key component of our engagement in the countryside experience. Not just birch (and that can be fine) but also scots pine, larch, rowan, holly and oak are to be found establishing themselves. All of this is a change in the direction of the wild, a frightening concept for some. Perhaps they are also frightened by the wild animals that come along to celebrate and incidentally to 'manage' the change.



Holly is to be found frequently around Blacka, an honest and sturdy native tree. Seeing the way it clings to other trees and sets off the winter outlines adds extra pleasure to the morning walk.