Apr. 1, 2008 - Outdoor Hour Challenge #6 - Starting a collection
These next two Outdoor Hour Challenges are taking place in North Wales (my family home town) as we are staying with my father for a few days.
We decided to go to the local Forestry Commission plantation for our nature walk and Dad came along with us - he actually turned out to be invaluable as he has an excellent knowledge of trees and can identify them very easily (his father and brothers, as well as himself, spent many years living and working in these forests!). Littlesmurf thoroughly enjoyed the time with his "Taid" and spent a great deal of time talking with him about the trees and what the timber is used for.
At the start of our walk, Littlesmurf took some time to look at the stacks of cut timber remarking at how clear the rings were and how this made it very easy to work out the age of the trees.
A little further along the trail, we came across this wall - Littlesmurf was fascinated at the moss growing on it and how brightly it was coloured!
These are some views into the forest itself - lots of trees and very dark! Littlesmurf commented that he would not like to have to walk very far into the forest, especially at night!
We also saw a small stream of water coming down from the forest. Growing over the little pool was a hazel-nut tree. My Dad told Littlesmurf how he used to use thicker hazel twigs to make "Penny whistles" when he was a little boy. Littlesmurf was very disappointed that we couldn't find a twig thick enough to make one when we got home!
We finally came across a tree that Littlesmurf wanted to find out more about - The Douglas Fir tree.
The Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is a tall, slender conical evergreen tree - it does not lose its leaves in winter. Young trees have a greyish-green smooth bark with resinous blisters (my Dad told us how, after he and his brothers had been planting young Douglas firs, their hands and arms used to be covered with a sticky sort of syrup which they had to scrape off with nailbrushes!). As the trees get older, their barks become more red-brown in colour - see the picture of Littlesmurf with the cut timber! The leaves are called needles - obvious really, as they are thin and pointy like sewing needles. Littlesmurf found out that when you rub the needles between your fingers, you get a very pungent and aromatic scent from them - lovely!
The Douglas Fir is not a native British tree; it actually comes from North America! However, it is grown here mostly in forestry plantations so that it can be cut down and used as timber.
The final part of our challenge was to start a collection of some sort. Littlesmurf decided a long time ago that he would like to collect cones when he visits forests. We didn't find any on today's walk, but here is a picture of some of the cones he has already collected along with a squirrel figure that he bought last year.
You can find out more about the forest we visited at Gwydyr Forest.
Comments
Apr. 1, 2008 - Douglas Fir
Posted by HarmonyArtMom
It is such a small world...I was just thinking about the Douglas fir because it is very native to where we live and see it all the time. Your entry was so interesting to me because I was reading how it was taken back to England and Europe from my part of the world.
Those Scots....David Douglas and John Muir. They really knew how to make a mark in the world didn't they.
Here is an article for you to read:http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/Washington/Library/MuirFir.html
Thanks for the glimpse into Wales.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Apr. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arby
The Douglas Fir makes for a great Christmas Tree! Now that I've been camping for awhile, I look at all wood as potential fire wood. That stack of logs brings one thought to mind, "I could burn that!"
Apr. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Keri
The Douglas Fir tree...a Christmas tree!
It does have sticky sap!
Apr. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Looks like so much fun! I love the collection. I will keep your Uncle John in my prayers (and you as well, my friend!) Julie http://funinthesunmom.blogspot.com
Apr. 1, 2008 - Great post!
Posted by cellista
I love all the pictures and the little peek into Wales! We're getting quite the collection of cones ourselves, it snowed again yesterday and it will be awhile before we can start collecting leaves. I love studying trees though. Douglas firs do make nice Christmas trees.
Apr. 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jolash
Love the picture of the squirrel in his "natural surroundings" !! Your part of the world looks so much like mine... but I'm in the southern US!
Apr. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Wow, what a pretty place you are in. I love the moss covered rocks too. :o)
Apr. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
What a pretty place. I love those moss covered rocks too.
~Tina
Jetihoja Academy
http://jetihoja.blogspot.com/
May. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dana @ School For Us
I love your pine cone collection. And the squirrel! How cute! :-)
Dana, www.alexml.blogspot.com
