My journey around Suffolk

[armybloke]

This thread is going to be a short summary of our holiday in Suffolk. Retaining a tree theme you will find that I have been privileged to have seen, touched, admired and in most cases hugged some magnificent trees. I don't get tired of being around trees and admit unashamedly that I get very excited about the more interesting and bigger ones. Suffolk is blessed with huge trees and that is possibly due to the lack of development that seems to swamp other parts of the country. You will see from this short portfolio that these are BIG trees. My twin daughters have kindly 'modelled' in front of a few to allow you to gauge the size.

 

Oak, Beech and Sweet Chestnut monsters!

[armybloke]

We stayed at Freston Tower (you can Google that if you want to know more) but in summary it was vertical living. Each floor had a different room and interconnected by a spiral staircase. If nothing else it kept the cooked breakfast calories at bay! It was tucked on to the side of a hill overlooking River Orwell which was a birders delight. Thousands and thousands of birds and you did not even have to move from your arm chair.

 

So here is a taster of the the holiday and I fill in the gaps as I go.

[David Humphries]

Those all at Woolverston Marco?

 

 

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[armybloke]

Woolverstone Hall boasted the grandest avenue in the land in the 1800's where a linear group of purple beech drew the eye for almost a mile from the monkey gates to the front door. Only 4 remain and on inspection are riddled with Ganoderma and Meripilus. They have replanted the avenue with 15 year old specimens to recreate the feel. This avenue is flanked by enormous oak, gingko, douglas fir, london plane and a tree I am struggling with although I recognise (any takers on the twig?-Rob are you ready!)

[armybloke]

We also visited Jimmy's farm of (Jamie and Jimmy's cafe fame) and had fabulous food. A cherry stump stood close by and this must have been a magnificent tree in its prime. The woodland is purely sweet chestnut coppice and a number of oddities caught my eye. The helical growth on a dead stem and a 'phoenix' tree developing from a fallen stem wedged between a twin stem. I wonder which will thrive and which will die as a result of failure of either??

[armybloke]

Pin Mill is the graveyard of London barges and adjacent to an ancient woodland. Another fabulous walk. Interspersed are a few of my favourite pics that relate to wood as the buildings or barges are made of wood! I hope you enjoyed the journey as much as I did.

[codlasher]

'tis a lovely county!

codlasher

[armybloke]

Yes mate. I can't believe how many there are.

[armybloke]

David the Shotly Peninsula is the name of the area that these monster trees are living. To be honest I could have taken a lot more pictures of lots more trees! There may even be a few champions around the area. The gingko is a whopper and possibly equal to the ones at the Chelsea physic garden. Worth a visit with your ancient tree team?

[David Humphries]

A fine part of the country for sure.

 

I've visited the area with the ATF, on a course (predominantly in pubs) with Olly Rackham and with the family a number of times.

 

Staverton up near Woodbridge is a national gem

 

 

 

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