The Heart of a Garden

Woodland Trust

Founded in 1972, the Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity and has four main aims: to prevent the further loss of ancient woodland, while expanding the area of new native woods; to restore and improve woodland biodiversity; and to increase people’s understanding and enjoyment of woods.

Eco-friendly cards: Card from responsibly managed forests (FSC^®), vegetable-based inks, recycled paper envelopes, compostable outer slips.

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Card size: 160x160mm. Blank inside. Photography: Colin Varndell, Jason Theaker (WT101, WT119, WT121, WT122), Peter Cairns (WT102, WT104, WT115, WT118), Doug Chinnery (WT106), Steve Waterhouse (WT110), the Heart of a Garden (WT111), Ben Hall (WT117, WT127), David Tipling (WT120, WT126), Rob Lind (WT125), Rory Trappe (WT129), Ross Hoddinott (WT130), Stephen Byard (WT131), Robert Birkby (WT132)


Text on Reverse of Card
Code: WT101	How sweet to be thus nestling deep in boughs, Upon an ashen stoven pillowing me; Faintly are heard the ploughmen at their ploughs, But not an eye can find its way to see. The sunbeams scarce molest me with a smile, So thick the leafy armies gather round; And where they do, the breeze blows cool the while, Their leafy shadows dancing on the ground. Full many a flower, too, wishing to be seen, Perks up its head the hiding grass between,— In mid-wood silence, thus, how sweet to be; Where all the noises, that on peace intrude, Come from the chittering cricket, bird, and bee, Whose songs have charms to sweeten solitude. ‘In Hilly-Wood’, John Clare (1793–1864)

Code: WT102	The red squirrel, our only native squirrel, has lived in Great Britain for over 9,000 years. Scotland’s forests of Scot’s pine are its stronghold, but small populations also exist in Wales and parts of England – such as the Lake District, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Unfortunately, it just cannot compete with the introduced American grey squirrel, and its future looks increasingly uncertain. Red squirrels are not the only species under threat. With the decline in ancient woodlands over the last century, more than 40 species associated with woodland have become extinct. The Woodland Trust works to protect this valuable habitat, and those species that rely on it.

Code: WT103	If only this magnificent oak could talk – what stories would it tell us? What it can do, however, is remind us of our relationship with trees, one that has stretched back to Neolithic times, when we first started to work with woodlands. Our native woods were once the very centre of our communities, providing vital building materials and fuel. But our connection with trees goes much further – for many they possess a spiritual quality, which can be inspiring or relaxing. The Wyndham Oak is no exception; it was named after Judge Hugh Wyndham, who liked to sit under its boughs in quiet contemplation. However, it was also reportedly used to hang rebels after the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, and it was famous enough to be the subject of an engraving when George III was on the throne. Nobody knows exactly how old this ancient tree is, but it must have been fairly substantial when the judge bought the estate in 1641. With its gnarled, elephantine bark, the Wyndham Oak is a piece of living history, an example of why trees are so fascinating.

Code: WT104	Woodlands cater for a wider diversity of birds than other types of habitat; their multilayered structure meeting the requirements for the lives of many birds, offering places to breed, roost and feed. The tawny owl is just one species that dwells in this rich environment. Because it is a nocturnal hunter, you are more likely to hear a tawny than see one. They are instantly recognisable by their ‘twit twoo’ call. The owl has been revered throughout many civilisations, from ancient to more recent times, commonly making appearances in legends and folklore. It is one of the few birds to have been found in prehistoric cave paintings. The idea that owls are wise may well have its roots in Greek mythology – an owl was the messenger of the goddess of wisdom, Athena.

Code: WT105	Woodlands are about much more than dazzling bluebells or the sweet sound of birdsong, they are also home to a wealth of wildlife that’s all to easy to miss. Fungi may not be pretty, but it is fascinating stuff, so exceptional that it has been classified as belonging to its own kingdom, separate from plants, animals and bacteria. It also plays a very important role in the intricate and essential decomposition processes that take place all the time in woodlands. The fly agaric is the quintessential poisonous toadstool at the centre of many a fairy tale. It is native to both coniferous and deciduous forests and appears in autumn, sometimes growing collectively in an arc or circle known as a ‘fairy ring’. In European folklore, fairy rings marked the locations of gateways into elven realms.

Code: WT106	A shimmering sea of bluebells is surely one of nature’s most enjoyable displays, but apart from its stunning beauty there is an abundance of superstitions and folklore relating to this flower. Bluebell woods are believed be the enchanted realm of fairies and perilous places at midnight, as this is the time that the fairies come out to dance to the music of the ringing bluebells! The bluebell is for many of us an iconic wildflower and a symbol of spring, but it can also tell us more. Our native bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, can indicate ancient woodlands, as it grows so well in the moist, shady conditions that they provide. Great Britain is said to be the bluebell stronghold, with between a quarter and half of the world’s total population. The Woodland Trust works to prevent the loss of ancient woodland which is home to this much-loved species.

Code: WT107	Deciduous trees and shrubs can look rather forlorn in winter, bereft of leaves and with their skeletal branches stretched out to the sky. Yet it is the very obvious lifecycle of the tree with its foliage decay and renewal that has made it a central tenet of the mythologies of many cultures. The motif of the ‘Tree of Life’, used to illustrate the idea that everything in life is related, features significantly in the theology, folklore and fiction of countries as diverse as Ancient Egypt, China, Turkey, Germany and Norway. Trees are such a powerful symbol of life, death and resurrection, it is no wonder that so many societies have revered their company throughout the ages.

Code: WT108	Widespread throughout the UK, wood anemones flourish in deciduous woodlands, usually flowering from March until April. Our native wildflowers often have colloquial names which have intriguing origins, and the wood anemone is no exception. It is also known as ‘windflower’, which relates to its Greek-derived botanical name. In a Greek legend, Anemos, the Wind, sends the anemones in early spring as the heralds of his coming. The second part of the name, nemorosa, refers to its woodland habitats and stems from the Latin nemorosus meaning ‘wood’ or ‘full of foliage’. Yet another, more prosaic, English moniker for the flower is ‘smell fox’, so called because of the characteristic musky smell of the leaves.

Code: WT109	At first glance our native woodlands can appear to be serene and uninhabited, but in fact they should be a hive of activity, with a menagerie of animals – including many of our native mammals – hiding away in the different layers of vegetation. The red fox is highly adaptable, thriving in a range of habitats, and has overtaken the grey wolf as the most widespread canine species in the world. In woodlands it finds a rich supply of food, such as rodents, rabbits, birds and carrion. The relationship between foxes and humans has certainly been tumultuous throughout history. Variously decried as immoral tricksters or lauded for their guile and intelligence, it is clear from the frequency in which the fox appears in fables, folklore, literature and even advertising, that it holds an endless fascination for us.

Code: WT110	Forests, woods and trees are absolutely essential to our lives – an irreplaceable part of our culture and history. It is perhaps the case that we are so used to seeing trees around us that it becomes easy to forget all the benefits they offer. They help create a cleaner, pleasanter environment, absorbing harmful gases, reducing noise and improving the quality of the air, water and soil, as well as providing shade and shelter. Ancient woodland is our equivalent of the rainforest, and it supports a more diverse collection of plants and animals than any other habitat we have. A mature oak tree can provide a habitat for hundreds of different species of insects, birds and mammals, providing hollows and areas to nest in as well as fruit, flowers and foliage. For many people our native woodlands are also imbued with a magical, even mystical, quality connected with childhood memories and fairy tales. With the pressures of climate change and urban development, reconnecting with this fantastically beautiful resource and safeguarding its future, will help safeguard ours.

Code: WT111	This evergreen native climber can reach heights of 30 metres, clinging to suitable surfaces such as walls and trees. It is not a parasite, as it does not take nutrients directly from the tree but via feeding roots placed in the soil around it. Woodland conservationists tend to feel ambivalent about ivy. On one hand, dense ivy growth can affect the stability of weakened trees. On the other, however, ivy is a valuable habitat for insects and nesting birds, and because it flowers late in the year its nectar and berries are an important food source for insects and mammals during the winter months when food can be scarce.

Code: WT112	Overhead the tree-tops meet, Flowers and grass spring ’neath one’s feet; There was nought above me, and nought below, My childhood had not learned to know: For what are the voices of birds —Ay, and of beasts,—but words—our words, Only so much more sweet? Excerpt from ‘Overhead the Tree-Tops Meet’, Robert Browning (1812–89)

Code: WT113	The combination of open sunny glades, mature broadleaved trees and luxuriant undergrowth that often make up the UK’s ancient woodland provides the perfect home for butterflies. Some are woodland specialists – spending most of their lives in woods – others pop in from time to time, perhaps to over-winter or breed. It is a common belief that the male Brimstone, because of its yellow colour, gave the butterfly its name – the word ‘butterfly’ being derived from ‘butter-coloured fly’. Others disagree, believing the name arose from a medieval story about witches transforming themselves into butterflies to steal butter! The female Brimstone is a paler white-green – but both have green veined underwings. This coloration, along with their wing shape, perfectly mimics a leaf when the butterfly is resting or hibernating in foliage. This is one of the few species that hibernates as an adult and thus spends the majority of its life as an adult butterfly.

Code: WT114	Shrubs are an important component of woodlands: providing diversity, shelter and lower level habitats. Shrubs that produce flowers and fruit are especially useful. Bees and butterflies drink nectar from the flowers, while the fruit can be part of the diet of birds and mammals, such as squirrels, deer and foxes. The blackthorn is a native deciduous shrub or small tree – its blossom, a delicately beautiful, yet unpretentious, backdrop to spring. The fruit of the blackthorn is the sloe, which can be used in preserves or to make the alcoholic drink sloe gin, but has a strong, astringent flavour if eaten fresh. (Warning: do not use or consume plants for medicinal or nutritional purposes without seeking the appropriate professional advice.)

Code: WT115	Great Britain’s most widespread and numerous native woodpecker – which is rather curiously absent from most of Ireland – prefers deciduous woodlands that have at least some mature trees and deadwood. Witnessing the woodpecker’s frenzied activity is enough to give you a splitting headache in sympathy. Luckily, the bird itself has a number of adaptations that are useful for its lifestyle, including a tongue that is especially sticky for extracting insects and larvae from bark, and which is so long that it has to be curled around inside its skull. A smaller brain, plus shock-absorbing tissue in the head, means that the bird’s jackhammer action does not cause brain damage – it may well result in a headache though! Uniquely in the bird world, the male woodpecker beats against wood to attract a mate and to proclaim its territory.

Code: WT116	The snowdrop is an extremely hardy winter flower that is traditionally celebrated as one of the first signs of spring. Its Latin name Galanthus can be translated as ‘milk flower’, appropriate as the snowdrop is often described as looking like three drops of milk. The story of the snowdrop as a symbol of hope relates to a biblical legend, when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. When Eve was about to give up all hope of an end to the everlasting winter, an angel appeared and transformed some of the snow flakes into snowdrops – proving that cold winters do eventually give way to spring.

Code: WT117	Woodlands are teaming with creepy crawlies – slugs, snails, millipedes and beetles are just a few of the many thousands of insects and invertebrates that make their homes in leaves and bark, or under the cover of fallen branches and deadwood. It is this abundant insect life that attracts birds to woodlands, where they can also find a place to roost and nest. The nuthatch is a compact woodland bird, resembling a small woodpecker. However, it is much more agile, often turning sideways and upside down on vertical surfaces as it forages, and it can descend trees head first. It is thought that the name was originally ‘nuthack’ and arose from the bird’s habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then hammering them with its sharp bill to ‘hack’ out the seed from the inside. Sitta europaea is the only species of nuthatch in the UK. A resident of mature woodlands, these birds rarely travel far from the woods where they hatch.

Code: WT118	It has often been debated how much of Scotland was once covered with the original Caledonian Forest or even whether it existed as one forest at all. But we do know that it would have contained a large amount of Scot’s pine. Today the Forest is a unique ecosystem, the only native coniferous woods in the UK, and home to a wide variety of rare wildlife. It is considered one of the best places to see species such as the capercaillie, which is a type of grouse, golden eagles, Scottish wildcats, pine martens and red squirrels.

Code: WT119	Autumn colour is one of nature’s most dramatic displays – and a favourite time to visit woodlands for many. Just in case you were skiving from school on the day that leaf colour change was explained, here’s a very basic explanation. The perfect conditions for autumn colour are sunny days followed by crisp, cold nights. As the nights lengthen and become cooler, biochemical processes occur in the leaves, which slow down the production of chlorophyll, the pigment that makes the leaves green. As the chlorophyll fades away, the other pigments within the leaves are unmasked to reveal bright colours. An autumnal walk in the woods is not just about enjoying a visual feast, it’s also a great opportunity to forage for all sorts of treats – sloes, hawthorn berries, chestnuts and conkers, to name just a few.

Code: WT120	This large thrush can be spotted almost everywhere in the UK, favouring woodland, parks and gardens, and feeding on worms, insects and even small reptiles. Winter is a more challenging time for birds and, when the ground freezes over, the mistle thrush switches to a diet of berries – including mistletoe (for which the bird is named), rowan, yew, hawthorn and holly. These birds are prepared to defend this important food resource aggressively, vigorously chasing away other thrushes. The mistle thrush has a habit of singing its fluty melodious song on exposed perches during stormy weather, which is why it has been given the alternative name of ‘stormcock’.

Code: WT121	Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931)

Code: WT122	Scientific evidence from the Finnish Forest Research Institute suggests that nature has an array of healing properties: a walk in the woods can reduce stress and depression, alleviate muscle tension and even calm an erratic heart. Although Britain is one of the least forested countries in Europe, woods still make up 12 per cent of the countryside, and, according to the Woodland Trust, almost two thirds of us live within 4 kilometres of a wood that covers at least 200,000 square metres. To immerse yourself in woodland is for some not just enjoyable, but a spiritual experience. A holiday from the trials of the modern world, and therapeutic too – why not give it a try?

Code: WT123	The hedgehog is perhaps so named because it snuffles and grunts, pig-like, as it roots through the undergrowth for food. Adult hedgehogs have around 7,000 spines (which are actually modified hairs), each attached to a muscle and able to move independently. These muscles anchor the spines to a large sheet of muscle called a panniculus, which covers the hedgehog’s back. The panniculus contracts to allow the animal to roll up into an unappetising ball if threatened. One distinctly bizarre, and yet to be explained, hedgehog behaviour, is the habit of ‘self-anointing’. When a hedgehog comes across a new smell, it reacts by chewing on the source of the smell, creating lather in its mouth and then contorting itself into all manner of positions as it attempts to spread the froth across all its quills! Although hedgehogs can be found in urban areas and in gardens, woodland is their natural habitat, providing a rich source of insects, slugs and earthworms to dine on and somewhere to nest and hibernate.

Code: WT124	Flowering from April to May, these striking, native wildflowers are usually found in wet grasslands and meadows, but they also thrive in the shady conditions of light woodland. Sadly, because of urban development and the draining of ground for agricultural purposes, wild colonies of snake’s head fritillaries are now a rare sight. A member of the lily family, the fritillary derives its name from fritillus, the Latin for ‘dice-box’, which probably refers to the flower’s distinctive chequered pattern.

Code: WT125	As its name suggests this is the most common blue butterfly in the British Isles and can be found in a wide variety of habitats: grassland, roadside verges, downland, woodland clearings, heathland and sand dunes. They enjoy basking in the sun and are frequent garden visitors. Adults can usually be spotted from May through to September. Butterflies are fascinating creatures. Their wings are covered with thousands of tiny scales that overlap in rows and are arranged in colourful designs unique to each species. Oddly enough, many butterflies have taste sensors in their feet, so they taste their food by standing on it. This is the way they make decisions about where to lay their eggs, as they want to provide a good food source for the offspring caterpillars. Butterflies do not have a mouth or teeth for eating; instead they use a long, straw-like structure, a proboscis, to drink nectar and juices from plants and flowers.

Code: WT126	The only dormouse native to the British Isles is shy and mainly nocturnal. It can be easily distinguished from other mice by its long, furry tail. The name ‘dormouse’ is thought to derive from the French word dormir or the Latin word dormire, meaning ‘to sleep’ – very appropriate for an animal that spends up to a third of its life hibernating! Dormice live in dense, deciduous woodland, and their preference for hazel coppice gives rise to their alternative name of the hazel dormouse. The common dormouse is no longer common, however, because the species is in serious decline due to the loss of its habitat. The nature of the mouse’s diet, including arboreal flowers, fruits and insects, means that they are unlikely to be found in recently established woods or able to thrive in small areas of isolated old woodland. One way to recognise, and thereby monitor, the presence of dormice is by the very particular manner in which they nibble at one of their favourite foods, the hazelnut. Unlike squirrels, which open nuts by splitting them, dormice make a neat hole in the shell, smooth on the inside and with teeth marks on the exterior, to extract the kernel.

Code: WT127	The long-tailed tit is a UK resident, its range excluding only the far north and west of Scotland. These adorable little birds are highly distinctive, with their round bodies and long tails – the longest of any British bird in proportion to its body. Long-tailed tits are excitable and gregarious, flying in flocks of around 20, and twittering noisily to each other. Busy and acrobatic, they congregate in trees, fluttering from branch to branch, sometimes hanging upside down in their hunt for insects or seeds to snack on. They are woodland birds but can also be seen making use of hedgerows, heathland and, increasingly, gardens – particularly in the winter, when they take advantage of the seeds and nuts left by people on bird tables and in feeders.

Code: WT128	The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. Chinese proverb

Code: WT129	The oak is one of the most common trees in British broadleaved woods. With an average height of 15–25 metres, it is a tree with presence and character, and this, coupled with its significance as a timber tree, means that it has long been prized. There are a myriad of myths and traditions connected with the oak. A sacred tree for many different cultures, including the ancient Greeks, the Norse and the Celts, it was often associated with the gods of thunder and fire. This idea may have arisen because the oak was usually the tallest tree in any area, and therefore the most likely to be split by lightning. The oak is personified by the ‘Green Man’ – a character that appears in many guises in folklore throughout Europe. The Green Man, who is considered a symbol of fertility, is a tree spirit, often portrayed with wise eyes peering from among a camouflage of oak leaves. Today, the oak has become a national emblem, celebrated not just for its valuable role in our history but also for its ecological importance. Supporting the highest biodiversity of insects of any British plant, a mature oak tree also provides habitats for an abundance of woodland birds and mammals.

Code: WT130	The robin can be seen across Europe in woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Officially declared the nation’s favourite bird in a public ballot held in 1960, it is a familiar character and features prominently in British folklore. The robin is often associated with the winter season, and it is one of the few birds in the UK that you are likely to hear singing on a Christmas Day. Charming as its melodies may be, however, it is actually busily defending its territory, which it does all year round. In contrast to its symbolic associations with charity and kindliness, the robin is highly aggressive and has even been known to attack its own reflection. Fearless and feisty, this is the little bird with a big attitude!

Code: WT131	‘I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.’ Henry David Thoreau (1817–62)

Code: WT132	‘Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.’ William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878)

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