We began this largely overcast day with a trip to Efford Recycling Centre transporting another carload of green garden refuse which will no doubt play its part in the progress of ecology once it has been processed.
This afternoon, after a brief Tesco shop Jackie drove me into the forest. As often on such a gloomy day we drove around for some time without tempting my trigger finger, before encountering
an approaching horse and cart, the driver of which, having spotted my lens through our windscreen, smiled and waved between the last two images in this gallery – unfortunately I missed that shot.
We have learned that there are thousands more giant redwood trees in UK than in California; a number planted more than a century ago in
the Rhinefield Ornamental drive in our New Forest.
To the left of the second picture above lies the trunk of a tree we first noticed a few years back when it first fell. Now we can watch its contribution to the forest regeneration.
I watched a gentleman photographing two children against a recently fallen giant, and later, from a greater distance through trees, spotted one climbing the corpse.
The broken tree in the second and third images in this gallery will join the first example above, making its own contribution. I am not sure at this stage of the difference between the sequoias and the Douglas firs, both of which feature in this drive, but that trunk in the last picture certainly contains red wood.
The sequoia towering above the sun-kissed trees in this picture was planted in the garden of Castle Malwood Lodge, where we lived for our first 18 months in the forest, by Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone during one of his visits in the 1880s..
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s stupendous chicken and vegetable stewp and fresh, crusty, bread with which I finished the Shiraj.
Shades of California in England. Great pictures.
Thank you very much, Pat
Such beautiful trees! I had no idea that the giant redwoods are also living in the UK, that’s wonderful! See, we are the same people too. ????❤️????????????????
Thank you very much, John
You are welcome! ????????
I had no idea there are more giant redwoods in the UK than California!
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Well, I certainly learned something new today. I had no idea there were redwoods in England. Beautiful, no matter where they grow.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Echoing everyone else, I had no idea about the redwoods in the UK. Such wonderful photos in this post, Derrick. The driver with his horse and cart could come from a different era, the tree gallery is wonderful, and I love the colors in the final photo.
Thank you very much, Merril
The recycling centre must be full to bursting with your stuff. I hope that they are grateful.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal 🙂
A wonderful crop of forest images, and I especially like the horse and cart photos Derrick … (Perceptions)
“Horse Before the Cart”
Bitumen road
Horse and cart
Centuries apart
Unopened loads
Dreams of tomorrow
Library books unborrowed
Ancient ode
Horse before the cart
Centuries before the Ark
Thanks very much, Ivor. A good trio – the first being outstanding
It’s the last photo/poem in “our” book Perceptions …
Lovely drive thru the forest c Derrick, one of my favorites. Splendid topic.
Thank you very much, Steve
So glad that the giant redwood trees are doing well in the UK 🙂
Thank you very much, Rosliene
More Redwoods in the UK than in California! I never knew!
An informative and beautifully earthy post! Life continues in one form or another. I see a face in the moss close up. 🙂
Thank you very much, JoAnna
A horse with a cart, what a beautiful sight in todays fast world. It made my day.
Thank you very much, Bridget
Beautiful photos of the redwood giants, as well as the last one of sequoia above the golden trees.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
A beautiful set of photos.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
I was interested to learn via the BBC of the large number of Giant Redwoods in the UK. I enjoy these photographs of natural decaying trees – the way nature intended.
Thank you very much, Anne
Beautiful photos! The redwoods are so amazing and beautiful!
What a friendly horse and cart driver!
We used to live by Muir Woods/near San Francisco. (Muir Woods is 558 acres of ancient giant redwoods…some over 1,000 years old.)
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn XX
What a lovely forest ramble you took us on today.
Thank you very much, Sue
The ponies were very obliging today; I can almost imagine the first image in a frame on the wall.
Thanks very much, Sue
I have recently read about the redwoods. Interesting but I would prefer to see English oaks.
Thanks very much, Andrew. We have plenty of those, too.
A beautiful display of redwoods, Derrick. I love the photo of the gent with the horse and the cart.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The horse-drawn carriage going down the country lane looks like something out of an old movie!
I love the scenes from these forest drives! The horse and cart is a fine photo. I wonder what breed that horse is? Note the shaggy fetlocks. Some sort of draft or utility breed?
I thought that about the horse, too – but not as big as usual. Thanks very much, Lavinia
I wonder if they might be a Dales pony.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dales_pony
What a gorgeous selection of majestic trees, Derrick. Lovely.
Thank you very much, Dale
You are most welcome.
Didn’t know that about the redwoods. 🙂 … they are truly magnificent trees. 🙂
Thank you very much, Widders
It’s amazing that there are more of these California coastal giants in the UK than in their native habitat. A stew, bread, and Shiraz sounds like a pleasant dinner.
Thank you very much, I.J.K
How encouraging to know redwoods grow in England, too! A few centuries from now, you will fully enjoy their magnificence, standing in awe at their bases! It looks like yours have made excellent progress toward their prime. I have family living in the California redwood zone and I will always remember the awe I felt standing among these magnificent trees!
Thank you very much, Doug
I come from the state where Arbor Day began in the USA. As a Nebraskan, trees are almost a cause, entities that you need a word from Ye Gods before you chop down or alter! to plant a tree is to give a gift to future generations. To plant a California redwood is the hugest gift of all! Well, I believe a bristlecone pine lives longer, but it has more rigorous habitat requirements.
From 1863 to 1874 28 of these Sierra Redwoods were planted in an avenue a mile long in the Ballarat Gardens. They have struggled with drought. The cathedral feel that these trees achieve on a foggy, misty morning is awesome.
I can imagine, John. Thanks very much
Delightful photos
Thank you very much, Sheree
Wonderful that the Sequoia grew!
This winter has rearranged many of our woods, but already new life is forming on the downed trees.
Beautiful photos.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
The trees are very beautiful, Derrick
Thank you very much, Robbie
Giants indeed! Gorgeous photos Derrick!
Thank you very much, Riba
So you have sequoias too in the UK? Amazing.
Yes. They do well here. Thanks very much, Brian