More Birch Magic

My campaign to save the birches of Blacka starts here. At some time in the coming winter the wildlife trust, at a loose end, will arrive with chain saws and 'volunteers' (persuaded to come along and enjoy a spot of healthy exercise indulging their destructive instincts in a place they've never visited before) and they will end the life of a few more of Britain's finest trees. This is the death of a thousand cuts for the young woodland that has given this place its wonderful character and atmosphere. So the Friends of Blacka Moor need help to spread the message that the philistines and the barbarians should not prevail. One thing we can do is map our own identified groups of birches (and others) that we can evaluate for their contribution to the distinctiveness of the site.


Note the diversity of form in the birch.

This specimen divides elegantly into three at ground level. While another spreads in all directions from a foot above the ground.



Does any other tree create so many diverse effects? Meanwhile beside this path alongside the old stone wall a glade has formed producing well needed shade in the summer sun and protection from wind and rain at other times. This is a stunningly beautiful spot superbly illuminated by early morning light.



The birches could be the theme of another slide presentation for local groups. The coming one for the Friends of BM next week is to be Winter on Blacka Moor - about the landscape and wildlife in the recent winter. Previously we have done similar presentations on Character of Blacka Moor to the Vulcan Rotary Club, The Secret Life of Blacka Moor to the Dore Village Society and last year's FoBM AGM looked at A Year on Blacka.