Outer Protection

Sycamore and Pine occupy large parts of the northern woodland of Blacka. They were introduced many years ago and without them the woodland would be very different. As the Sycamores line the boundary it's quite likely that they were intended to form a windbreak. Along with the Rhododendron that circles the north western woodland these trees make a very effective weather barrier that determines character within. Birch and Alder have benefited along with more Pine, the Alder in particular thriving and creating wildly sculptural forms. Most garden designers of past ages included a walled garden in their plans. Here instead of brick the introduced tree and shrub layers have held off the wind and during years of being allowed to go its own way a unique blend of the wild and the artifical has developed.

Tree bark is each tree's special protective layer. That of Scots Pine has deep fissures and is reputed to be fire resistant.

Sycamore has architectural features of its own: smooth in younger trees but older ones developing cracks and scales sometimes looking like flaps or doors.

They can host many visitors from lichens to fungi and insects.