Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy

PERHAPS the most famous oak tree in Britain is to be found at Boscobel, in Shropshire.

It was near Boscobel House that Charles II was almost captured by the Roundheads and he only got away by hiding in the branches of an oak tree.

This was in 1651 and when he was restored to the throne in 1660 Charles remembered his escape and ever afterwards Oak Apple Day has been celebrated in May.

Actually the oak has been worshipped long before Christianity and it was one of the sacred trees of the Druids.

Later the oak was incorporated into place names.

The acorn gets is name from the old name for the tree, which is ac.

In London, Acton meant a settlement (tun) by the oak (ac). Our own Accrington comes from ac (oak), ing (water meadow) and tun (settlement).

So there we have our town which was once a settlement in a river valley bounded by oaks.

Oak grows well in Lancashire, although we should remember that there are two native oaks which thrive in England and occasionally confuse us all by interbreeding.

The common or pedunculate oak (quercus robur) grows best in the deep soil of the South East and Midland counties.

Its acorns are carried on a long stalk and have green stripes on the acorn.

The leaves are hairless and have either a very short stalk or this feature is absent altogether.

The buds are small, brown and blunt. In contrast, the durmast or sessile oak (quercus petraea) occurs mostly in the North and West of England.

The acorns have no stalk and no stripes.

The leaves have long stalks and are hairy.

The buds are also brown but they are sharper and larger.

Look around our local woods and you will find that we have mostly durmast oaks but if you look very carefully you will find the occasional common oak and even a few hybrids.

It's keeping your eyes open like this which makes natural history such a wonderful hobby.

Delightful walk in woods

OVER the next few months I am going to suggest some locations in Lancashire which are ideal for a quiet stroll.

I will be giving you some ideas of what to look out for during your walk.

The first of these is Spring Wood, near Whalley.

There are toilets, a good car park and, while there is no printed leaflet, the undulating footpath is well-marked.

There is also a footpath which runs underneath the bypass and down into Whalley with its cafes, splendid parish church and the impressive ruins of a 14th century Cistercian abbey.

In late winter and early spring look out for roe deer, long-tailed tits, jays and also spring flowers and the blossom of blackthorn.

This is also one of the best places to see grey squirrels, which have their dreys high in the pine trees.

They can always be tempted to come to the picnic tables and accept part - or all, if you let them - of your packed lunch.

I would like to hear from any readers who have records of wildlife seen at Spring Wood and also from anyone who knows anything about its history. Does anyone have any information about Moreton Hall, which once stood on the opposite side of the road on the banks of the River Calder?

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