A question of trees

Hi all, just collected a lovely set of seven stamps. I followed all the clues but the only problem i had was tree names all of the clues related to trees ,(the place was full of different types), do you guys all know the names of trees or is there a book you use for looking them up. Silly question i know but any help would be appreciated.

Hi, Where did you find these stamps - was it on and around Corndon and Yar???????? There is a charity walk out around there but the stamps have the names of the trees on the bottom, so not sure if those are the ones you mean.

Sorry my fault for not been clear. I was refering to to bearings ie Hawthorn 190 deg Holly 352 deg etc. If there are numorous types of trees and like me you dont know a tree by name do you use a book to check if your on the right one?

Oh Okay - think you might benefit from a trip to the library, or you could just search on Google. The main trees that seem to appear in clues are hawthorns - could be 'stumpy' these have sharp thorns on them and about now red berries. The Rowan tree is more upright with silvery coloured bark and leaves and also has red berries about now. The Oak of course you must know is usually a very big tree with flatter leaves and of course the acorns. Lots of holly trees around as well which are easily identified - you must have seen it at Christmas decorating wreaths/garlands etc.. Then there are quite a few Christmas trees around as well. Lovely to see them growing naturally in the wild. There is a lovely little one just down from Cathanger Rock on Corndon. There is also the willow tree. You will get bearings like 'willow clump bears' for these trees. They usually appear in the middle of mires. Then there are the different species of fir trees, not forgetting the 'monkey puzzle tree' at Headland Warren Farm. Lots of clues have bearings off that one. It won't take long for you to recognise the different trees and that certainly makes life easier when deciphering the clues. Hope this helps.

Yes i think you are right, google and print

Someone who does not know different types of tree on Dartmoor thats is differant

I have been boxing for 'quite a few years' and readily say that I do not know all the tree types located on the moor though I can now recognise most from years of experience.

Given time we all learn of the flora, forna, geology, etc, etc. of the moors. ( as do those who spell 'different' twice in the same sentence)

Who of us, now a qualified driver, has not taken the 'L' test !

Sparky, I hope you enjoy the 'boxing'.

My thanks to SS for her informative help to a fellow boxer.

Thank you for the informative replies, we all start somewhere

Hi,

I would suggest going to a book shop and picking up a copy of 'Trees'. It is a small book in the Collins Gem series. (It's about 3"x5") It easily fits in the pocket. It contains more trees than you will probably ever meet, certainly more than are on the moors. It has pictures of trees, leaves and their fruits, as well as descriptions.

Secondly, perhaps a trip to an arboretum? Trees there usually have a name tag with both the latin and common names on it. So you can actually see the tree rather than guessing if you have the right one. There is a small arboretum at Burrator, but I am unsure what it now contains. A much larger, national, arboretum is up at Westonbirt (Gloucestershire I think). You will need a whole day there, and still won't see all the trees! I have been a few times, and they have some fascinating trees.

Finally, practice. Look at trees in towns and cities, along the streets and in parks,. You will start to recognise the more common ones - oak, ash etc - and then start to easily pick out what seems to be more unusual trees - that's when you need your book in your pocket! Once you start looking, you will actually see that there are quite a few uncommon trees located all around the place. Also look at the trees' bark and branches, as well as leaves. You may well need to recognise the tree in winter! And do not forget the firs and pines too



John.

I am also very much a novice when it comes to identifying flora and fauna and I purchased the book 'trees' mentioned above by John, from Amazon. It is a useful little book and will certainly serve all my needs, and for less than 4 quid, was a bargain! At the same time I got a copy of 'food for free' which is also a collins gem guide, (just really to put the purchase over £5 to make the postage free!) and would recommend that one too. Now, not only now do I look at a tree and think 'what is it?', but also whether it's edible! (I could now recognise a blackthorn if I found one, which is fab as I do enjoy the odd drop of sloe gin!!)

I have a little boy aged 6 who is a sponge when it comes to information, and when we haven't had the time to get onto the moor we have plodded through the woods, collecting leaves and identifying the trees we find. Good practice for me, fun and a great learning experience for him!

I don't suppose anyone knows if there is a similar type of guide specifically for Dartmoor/moorland areas or could recommend one?

Thanks

I have been brought up in the countryside, and I did not realise there are people out there that did not know the native trees on Dartmoor. Everyone around me seems to know all the species of tree.
Anyone who does not know the Trees of Dartmoor is best to go out with some knowledge on trees.

When I am letterboxing it is great to take notice of the nature around, some people say Dartmoor is bleak. But there is so much on Dartmoor to see.

Good luck in learning all about trees and enjoy them.

Ah - but there is only one Spider Tree!

Spider tree?

Ah Ha!!! The Spider tree will not be any book you read. Don't really know who named it, but its a little stragley hawthorn on the slopes of Middle Staple Tor. Lots of boxes have bearings off it. Its looking very sad these days as several branches have broken off. (Nice one Nik!!)