Fine views from the edge of this plantation in the Tyne Valley near Riding Mill. This woodland is a conifer plantation much of it is fairly recently planted with some deciduous planting on the edges. The conifers proved difficult to ID even with keys and books.
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Not a fir, but with a gorgeous smell when the foliage is crushed. The scent is distinctive due to presence of geraniol. The cones are splendidly ornamental with long tongued bracts.
European Larch (Larix decidua) below.Hard to identify due to lack of foliage. At first we thought it a Japanese larch but the cones are oval and they bark greyish so probably it is European or perhaps a hybrid Larch.The cones were speckled with white resin or balsam surprisingly aromatic, refreshing scent.
Photo of European Larch cones we found.
The Corsican Pines (Pinus nigra) had paired long needles.
Needles in close -up.
For comparison a Scots Pine twig with cone, the needles are shorter.
The Scots Pine tree (Pinus Sylvestris) had distinctive papery orange bark on the upper branches.
Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) had, for me, another wonderful scent. Supposedly similar to the Hemlock plant foliage smell.
We came across twigs along the paths which looked like Christmas trees sprigs, (Picea abies). The picture is a composite of a twig and a cone we found beneath beneath the trees, which did not seem to be in best condition, the lower branches denuded. Probably a Norway spruce of some kind. It too has a delightful smell when crushed: spicy, fruity and clean.
Conifers use their scent, from various terpinoid chemicals, incuding (phytoncides) to deter pests and diseases. The scent molecules also act as cloud seeders so that a large conifer forest can create its own favoured cool, wet environment. These chemicals are beneficial to humans and responsible for the exhilarating effect of a forest walk. For instance in Japan, Shinrin-yoku is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It was developed during the 1980s and has become a form of preventive health care in Japanese medicine. Researchers primarily in Japan and South Korea have established a robust body of scientific literature on the health benefits of spending time under the canopy of a living forest. The idea is that visiting a natural area and walking in a relaxed way is calming, rejuvenating and restorative.
Deciduous trees had been planted on the edges in stands: Oaks of various kinds, one Quercus robur looked older than the rest and acted as a way marker. Ash, Hazel and Hawthorn formed a boundary edge. Ground flora often consisted of Bracken and Broom.
Bird species: Heron, dunnock, robin, pair of bullfinches and some small birds that were probably juvenile goldcrests.
There was a good variety of fungi which proved difficult to identify. Some pictured below. Field Blewit (Lepista saeva)? Pale top and lilac flushed stipe.
Tawny funnel ? (Lepista flaccida) commonly associated with conifers and deciduous trees.
Waxcap of some kind on the woodland edge.
Lichen covered stump: Cladonia coniocraea?
On the same stump a flowering plant Barren strawberry (Potentilla sterilis) still in bloom.
This tree with a fine showing of cones proved unreachable but is probably a Norway Spruce (Picea abies).
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