Fir at Cannon Hill Park possibly Abies grandis Winter 'evergreens', a suitable and seasonal distraction in terms of identification, providing a rather more challenging activity than the now fallen broad leaves, although having said that, a tree with no leaves is just as challenging when only buds and bark are at play. Also, the language of evergreens is somewhat different to that of broadleaves, in both biological terminology and description, providing a continual monologue through the year, with a voice that changes less hysterically than its broadleaf distant relatives. The other challenging difficulty of course is the weather, standing with a field guide and key on a cold day is not everyone's idea of fun. The subject trees related to in this passage are mainly those found locally either at the Cannon Hill Park Tree Trail or at the Highbury Park Pinetum and Highbury Estate. All of the trees have been introduced with various planting schemes over the past 80 years or so,
Opportunities here for combining leisure, education, work/life skills, and so on.
ReplyDeletePerhaps through forest school, gaining involvement of local schools in surveying and redesigning the area. Features to include wildlife observation structures: boardwalks, bird hides, canopy inspection, selectively felled trees, ...
Designing lots of learning and interpretative points along the way would give people a reason to detour through that patch. Making it possible to hold events would be even better. So things like the gathering circle at Moseley Bog would help.
Finding ways of developing local skills in earth/timber construction and woodland management would also be a plus.
Great ideas, many thanks. I'm hoping we can provide more details at the Stirchley Park Midsummer event on June 21st.
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