Yep, back in the spring when I referred to the old folk law rhyme the goes like this…….
OAK BEFORE THE ASH
WE ARE IN FOR A SPLASH
ASH BEFORE THE OAK
AND WE ARE IN FOR A SOAK.
It was suggested by many that there could be no truth in such rubbish. Well as far as we are concerned in this part of the midlands the OAK was the first to come into leaf with the ash a long way behind by some 4/5 weeks….…..AND most importantly we have enjoyed a great summer and have had something of a drought. Here we are at the end of September and the Oak leaves are brown and drying on the trees. Yet the ASH looks as if it is still full of summer joy, its leaves a bright healthy green and looks as if it will remain so for some time to come.
There is a good deal of talk about autumnal colours, well not here on my patch. The Ash is not alone in hanging onto the summer greens. In fact what little rain we have had has just invigorated much in the fields, hedges and woods. Admittedly the farmers have started to give the hawthorn hedges there winter trim but apart from that it still looks like summer both in the fields and in the woods.
A walk to-day in some South Derbyshire woods showed the same story for the Oak (and Chestnuts) where again most trees showed signs of water shortages, yet on the Oak the acorn crop looked more substantial than over the past few years…this fine old specimen still retained many of its rich green leaves yet the woodland floor beneath it was carpeted with acorns a sight I have not seen for many years,
Usually it is Jays and Squirrels that are feasting on this pre winter bounty but to-day this years young Deer were able to enjoy the feast, so intent on feeding that even the presence of our two dogs did nothing to spook them.
And finally just to prove that we have had a dry summer this image of our reservoir illustrates clearly that we have had a lack of rain….where i was standing to take the shot is usually under water…
SO just may be there is some truth in these old country fables……..as there are lots of berries and fruits about we should now expect a severe winter.
28th September.
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 