Concern for the Oak!

Here in Derbyshire the Willow has burst into green over the past two weeks, Hawthorn is trying its very best  and as you drive around the county Blackthorn is in full blossom, stark white against most of the bare hedgerow.

 

The Chestnut Trees, both Horse and Sweet are now starting to burst from their sticky buds that have protected them over the harsh winter months. 

Beech are less keen to show themselves, the buds are larger but still not willing to burst, some trees are still holding onto last autumns leaves.

However it is the Oak that is of concern to country folk here in Derbyshire and for that matter so is the Ash…….neither show any enthusiasm to recognise that spring is here. 

So why all the concern, well it is down to folk law, some may consider it myth or fable, but many folk do take a serious view of the possible consequences, and here is why.  The rhyme goes like this………………………….

Oak before the Ash

and you are in for a Splash

Ash before the Oak

and you are in for a Soak.*

So keep your eyes peeled and we will soon see what nature has in store for us this summer, maybe it will be more accurate than the Met Offices long range forecasts.

* I cannot trace the origins of the rhyme so we will credit it to that well known sage Anon