THE WAY OF THE WOODS
Here in Perthshire we're very fortunate to have lots of wonderful woodland around us. These photos are from Kinnoull Hill, a large wooded area just a short walk from our flat, with a wonderful range of trees, including some very old ones. It's especially nice to walk in because it's given minimal management and allowed to be in its natural state as much as possible.
THE FOREST BENEATH OUR FEET
Much of the countryside around Perth has been taken over by industrial agriculture, huge fields of one crop managed by a few people with lumbering, factory-on-wheels machinery. All the same, if it's left to do its own thing it will revert in not many years to woodland... The forest is waiting beneath our feet, ready to return.
REGENERATION AT PERTH COMMUNITY FARM
There's an area to the back of the part of the Westbank site that we manage which was cut down to the ground about ten years ago. We've left part of it just to do its own thing and it has indeed flourished into a very diverse area with trees, including some oaks, bushes, herbs and climbers of all sorts - with almost no management, other than making paths through it so we can see what's happening.
WOODLAND YIELDS
Though there's an abundance of plants, there's not that many edibles. So if we humans want to get more of what we need to survive locally and sustainably we'll probably need to tweak our woodland. At the farm, we've planted some nut trees and fruit bushes in part of this regenerating area with this in mind.
COME AND VISIT PERTH COMMUNITY FARM ...VOLUNTEERING...
All welcome to come along to our regular volunteering day, Wednesday's 11 to 3 (March through to November depending on the weather) - help, share, learn and have fun.
... AND COURSES...
I run gardening and fruit tree pruning/woodland courses at the farm - it's a brilliant venue for these with such a range of stuff to see:
See you soon, Ian
