There was a packed audience at Abingdon Library this evening for a presentation by contributors to Woodlands – An Anthology of Poetry and Prose. The evening brought together  history, natural history and poetry about Radley Large Wood.

Sylvia Vetta began by telling some of the history of the wood. From at least the mid-13th century, it formed part of a deer park belonging to Abingdon Abbey.

Paul Gamble then shared his enthusiasm for its natural history including birds such as the chiffchaff, plants including the rare Herb Paris, and butterflies such as the Silver Fritillary. He also read poems from the anthology, including a couple written by children from a local school in Kennington.  Other contributors followed with readings of poems, before the audience had an opportunity to ask questions.

Part of the evening’s discussion concerned the management of the wood since its acquisition by St Hilda’s College in 2022. The college’s management plans include dealing with ash dieback, and a clearing and planting programme which brings in grant funding.

However, the felling of a substantial area of woodland in 2024 caused concern among local residents. A packed meeting at Kennington village hall demonstrated how much the woodland means to local people. That led to the formation of the Friends of Radley Large Wood who  meet with the college to talk about the wood.

There are now many plastic tree guards around newly planted trees. One of the speakers said that, following two dry summers, the young trees are struggling to establish themselves.

On sale was the book, a well-produced anthology with colourful pictures in support of the Friends of Radley Large Wood.

Although known as Radley Large Wood, it is closer to Kennington, with access from Kennington Memorial Field and Sugworth Lane.  It also has a border with the larger Bagley Wood. For more information by the Friends of Radley Large Wood see radleylargewood.org.

There’s a bike up a tree near the library. Its has been up there for a couple of days now.

It could be that some young people have put it up there at the end of the school holidays.

But could it be an art installation nobody has told us about. The cycle of life perhaps

Or an example of extreme cycle parking.

You may know better.

Thanks to Tim for his observations about tree damage from June 4th.

There are contractors in Abbey Meadows again today removing branches and boughs that have fallen, or are at risk of falling, from poplar trees alongside the river. This is not the first time recently that work of this kind has been carried out in the area.

The breaks do not appear to show obvious signs of rot or disease. The explanation given by Tim is that recent periods of very wet weather followed by warmer conditions have contributed to stress in some trees, affecting branch strength. Poplar is a relatively fast-growing hardwood known for being lighter and more brittle than many native species.

Poplar timber is used for a range of purposes, including matchsticks, packaging materials, plywood, and baskets, and it can be processed into thin strips for various light construction uses.

Tim suggests this illustrates some of the pressures that more variable weather patterns can place on certain tree species.

Meanwhile, other newly planted trees are dying, possibly due to a lack of sufficient ongoing care after planting.

The tulip tree, just to the left of the main entrance to Albert Park in Abingdon, is currently in flower. It can be identified by its four-lobed leaves and greenish-yellow flowers, marked with orange at the base.

The flowers are not immediately obvious high among the branches, I found one on the ground. Close up, I could see the tulip-shaped petals and long stamens at the centre.

Native to eastern North America, the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) flowers for a few weeks each year in late spring. Last year I visited Albert Park every month to record how the park changed through the seasons, but missed the tree in bloom. Looking at the number of fallen petals beneath it, it has been flowering for some time already, but more blooms are still appearing.