Whilst awaiting the arrival of the beautiful autumn colours, here are some things to look out for on a walk in Sherrardspark Wood in September.
Sessile and Pedunculate Oaks
Use the three photos to help spot the differences between acorns on sessile and pedunculate oaks. 1. Sessile oak. The acorns have no stalk and sit directly on the distal twigs. 2. The leaves of the sessile oak have long stalks. 3. Pedunculate oak. The acorns havea long stalk and the leaves have a very short stalk. There are very few pedunculate oaks in the wood and they may be very difficult to differentiate from hybrid oaks which have some characteristics of both. Most acorns have already fallen. There are plenty on the ground, although the squirrels are working hard to hide them! If you like a challenge, in mid-September, there are still acorns with long stalkson an oak tree which is on your left as you go uphill between points 12 and 16 on the map of the Sherrardspark Wood walk. The branches come quite low so hopefully easier to see. Good luck!
1. Sessile Oak
2. Sessile Oak
The leaves of the sessile oak have long stalks.
3. Pedunculate Oak
The acorns have a long stalk and the leaves have a very short stalk. There are very few pedunculate oaks in the wood and they may be very difficult to differentiate from hybrid oaks which have some characteristics of both. Most acorns have already fallen. There are plenty on the ground, although the squirrels are working hard to hide them! If you like a challenge, in mid-September, there are still acorns with long stalks on an oak tree which is on your left as you go uphill between points 12 and 16 on the map of the Sherrardspark Wood walk. The branches come quite low so hopefully easier to see. Good luck!
4. Sweet Chestnut
(Castanea sativa)
These green spiky cases contain the shiny, red-brown fruits of the sweet chestnut tree. They are found in clusters and are smaller than the cases of the horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum)which contain conkers. The leaves of the sweet chestnut are single, long leaves witha toothed or serrated edge and a pointed tip, whilst those of the horse chestnut are hand-shaped or ‘palmate’. The bark of the sweet chestnut typically spirals anti-clockwise. There are some good specimens on the edge of the wood at point 13 on the map.
5. Beech
(Fagus sylvatica)
These prickly cases contain one or two triangular beech nuts. Note the shiny leaves with a wavy or scalloped edge. These will turn a beautiful coppery colour in the next few weeks. There is an avenue of beech trees at point 10 on the map but you will have to search for the remaining cases.
5. Rowan or Mountain Ash
(Sorbus aucuparia)
7. Sycamore
(Acer pseudoplatanus)
Or pick up from bookshops in town.
