June

The Dales in June

Sadly the Dales has been hit hard in recent weeks by more cases of Foot and Mouth around the Settle area – access to the hills and dales is now as far off as it has been since the beginning of the outbreak. This has held our work back, as indeed it has affected many others, but of course the woods are not noticing our problems and are merrily getting on with their own business.

The woodlands of the Dales are now blossoming into their full summer glory – with only the ash and a few trees higher up the hillsides yet to come fully into leaf. Many of the earlier flowers such as the bluebells, wood anemone and wood sorrel are now over – they don’t last long and have to get the business of flowering and setting seed done very quickly – but others can now be seen. Herb Robert and Woodruff are now visible particularly in old hedgerows where they are less shaded and free, perhaps, from grazing pressure.

The canopy of most woodlands is now closing and the dense dappled shade characteristic of summer woodland is now taking shape. The smell of the woods is now notable on a walk through them – a subtle blend of soil, bark, leaf and flower! Soon trees will be a place to find shelter from hot sun and the occasional heavy downpour.

At this time of the year trees are really notable in the landscape. Their shear size and dark colour setting themselves against the backdrop of the fields and fells. However, it is easy to over-estimate woodland cover when roaming around the Dales at this time of year. A look on the map reveals just how few woods of any size there are and that many of the large trees in the landscape are found not in woods but in hedgerows and field corners. These trees are very important to the ecology and landscape of the area but are just as threatened in many ways as the ancient woodlands we are seeking to protect. By encouraging the appropriate management of the Dales woodlands we are hoping that a wider appreciation of all of the landscape will grow too.


If you wish to support the Yorkshire Dales Project we will ensure donation money will be 'geared up' through the unique partnership agreements of this new project, to maximise the impact of your money in creating and protecting woodlands in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. 

Because of the unique partnerships agreements of the Yorkshire Dales Landscape Project in most cases, every £1.00 donated to the project will result in £3.00 being utilised to protect, plant and manage woodland.



Alternatively, phone our credit card hotline on 0800 026 9650.

To make a donation by post with cheque or credit card - please click here, print off the form and when complete send with your cheque made payable to 'The Woodland Trust' to: 

The Woodland Trust - Yorkshire Dales Landscape Project 
PO Box 418, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.  HD8 0XY