Wild visitors

Wildlife galore

Surprised we were to visit the wood last weekend and find a deer lurking. Apparently roe deer can squeeze through gaps less than a foot wide. So we think it must have got in under the fence somewhere and we will have to do some clearance along the fence this autumn to spot the gaps. We left the small gate open to the meadow while we strimmed and mowed, and hope that it made a good escape. Meanwhile, our pond has brought plenty of insects and, before leaving in the later afternoon, we were treated to a visit by dozens of swallows swooping around.

Invasive plants

We have a single Buddleja davidii bush which is often dotted with butterflies. (However, this invasive plant is not to be recommended if it shades out other plants which provide food for caterpillars.) We saw fritillaries which feed on brambles and thistles, lay eggs in oak and other crevices, the caterpillar feeds on dog violets the following spring. Also visiting were the red admiral and peacock butterflies - their caterpillars feed on stinging nettles. Our beautiful ginkgo trees have been doing well, except that they have much competition from the bracken - the picture shows how high the bracken can get before we stamp on it!

Preparing for the Green Fair

Preparations continue for a stall at the Exeter Green Fair on 5th September 2015. Find us on the Cathedral Green with items for sale in aid of the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust. These include bottled distilled Witch Hazel, young Ginkgo and Witch Hazel trees, plus beautiful cards and prints, and information about local medical herbalists plus other herbal products.

A Good Find!

This week I was surprised to find several small stands of Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) at Holt Wood. I usually head for patches of yellow as they are likely to be  Ragworts - the Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) can spread quickly, and when dried it is toxic to cattle and sheep. This is not such a problem for us but not good for hay in the neighbouring grass meadow so I try to stop the plants reaching seedbearing stage to reduce spread. As I grasped this particular plant to pull it out of the ground I suddenly realised that it just did not have the right leaves for Ragwort which are pinnatifid, or deeply cut in lobes. The leaves of the Goldenrod are entire and untoothed. Goldenrod is the only native to the UK of the Solidago species, although the introduced species of Canadian Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) and Early Goldenrod (S. gigantea) are listed in Francis Rose, The Wild Flower Key (2006 edition). Perhaps the dryness of the summer has encouraged the Goldenrod this year. The plant (flowers and leaves) is aromatic, stimulant, carminative according to Maud Grieve, A Modern Herbal  (1976 edition) but present day use is more likely to be as an astringent and diuretic. There is a detailed US Solidago spp.

Solidago virgaurea 5 September 2013

Goldenrod flowers

article at

http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2012/10/goldenrod-torch-of-healing.html

Goldenrod has many potential uses from wound healing to kidney supprt, and makes a tasty tea. When we have expanded our population of Goldenrod then we can harvest to dry and have an ongoing supply.

Exeter Green Fair

What a great day out! Lots of stalls promoting sustainable living and wonderful foods. There were a few rain showers but we were saved by our neat self-erecting (almost) gazebo. Our stand for the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust carried information about Tree Aid, local herbal practitioners offering drop ins, and projects involved in medicinal tree and shrub growing including Holt Wood. Our Plant Identification Quiz  drew quite a few people in to try their luck - several  people correctly identified at least 10 medicinal plants and won a bottle of organic Lavender Essential Oil. Thanks to Helen, Kay and others for all their help - it was great to chat with visitors about sustainable herbal medicine and the Distilled Witch Hazel (first in Devon and available at www.herbaid.org.uk) provoked a lot of interest and discussion about air miles in getting supplies of herbs and cosmetics. Congratulations to raffle winners who won a bottle of Bickleigh-grown wine, a herbal first aid kit and other goodies.

 

Exeter Green Fair, September 2013