Marston Forest – Oak Trees

OAK TREES

Oak trees hold a special place in the hearts of the nation. One of the most widespread trees in the UK, their size and longevity symbolise strength and endurance.

There are two native species of oak in Britain: the English oak and the Sessile oak. Telling them apart is simple, just take a close look at their leaves and acorns. English oak leaves have a very short stalk while Sessile oak leaves have a long one, and conversely, English oak acorns grow at the end of long stalks while Sessile oak acorns have no stalks. Both species can reach a grand old age – oaks over 1,000 years old can be found around the country – and anything over 400 years old is classed as an ‘Ancient Tree’. With increasing age, oaks become shorter and wider, developing gnarly crevices and hollows.

Oaks are well known for supporting a huge variety of wildlife, and as they age they attract even more species. Specialist insects feed on the dead and decaying wood within an aged oak, and many birds and bats use their holes and cavities for nesting and roosting. Research published by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in 2019 revealed that mature oak trees support a staggering 2,300 different wild species. Throughout the year in every season, oaks offer valuable living accommodation, food and shelter for a wide variety of wildlife.

Oaks flower in springtime, producing long, pollen-rich green catkins – these are the male flowers. Their pollen is dispersed by the wind, fertilising the small red female flowers, which then grow into acorns. Oak flowers and pollen provide food for a host of creatures, from squirrels to butterflies. The caterpillars of the dazzling purple hairstreak butterfly feast on oak flower buds and leaves, while many bee species rely on oak pollen to provide a springtime buffet.

If you’ve ever seen an unusual shaped growth on an oak tree, you’ve probably stumbled across a gall. Oaks play host to a variety of galls, the most

common ones being the oak apple gall, oak marble gall and oak knopper gall. These galls are caused by wasps who lay their eggs onto different parts of the tree. The resulting larvae produce chemicals which cause a distortion in the growth of the tree. The resulting galls vary in shape and size from perfect spheres, like the oak marble gall, to knobbly, walnut-shaped growths like the knopper gall. Galls provide a protective home and food for the larvae growing inside. Once the larvae is ready to emerge from the gall, it will fall off the tree, and you can discover woody, spent galls underneath oaks during summer and autumn. Look for a telltale hole on the outside where the insect growing inside has tunnelled out.

In autumn, oak trees provide wild creatures with another gift to help them survive the winter months. Mammals and birds from badgers to woodpeckers feast on the acorn bounty produced by oaks. Acorns are a firm favourite of jays – and these attractive birds also play a part in planting the next generation of oak trees too. Jays store acorns in preparation for winter, and inevitably sometimes forget the locations of their cache, allowing them to germinate the following spring.

Even as the oak drops its leaves on the ground in autumn it provides a valuable resource for wildlife. The layer of leaves on the woodland floor is like a winter duvet, offering protection in the cold months for countless invertebrates. Many of these creatures break down the leaves and other natural debris through feeding, nourishing the woodland soil beneath.

In the Forest of Marston Vale, we have planted thousands of oaks, which not only benefit wildlife but people too. As oaks grow, they absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, helping us to tackle the impacts of climate change. Although slow-growing, because of their size and longevity oaks are one of the best long-term stores of carbon.

The iconic oak tree has been by our side throughout history – providing us with strong building materials to get us through wars and fuel to keep us warm. Now oaks stand by us again as we face another of humanity’s biggest challenges – the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.

Calor Gas always in stock TOP END VILLAGE STORES

ANIMAL FEED & BEDDING

www.topendfarm.co.uk BARGAINS GALORE IN STORE!

Wide and competitive range of horse and animal feed, supplements and stable essentials Paddock fertilisers, grass seed, post and rail, stock fencing, chicken wire, electric fencing and accessories Hay, straw, haylage, shavings, sundown, wood pellet bedding etc Stable and field mats, reclaimed sleepers, rat bait, horse carrots Layers pellets, poultry bedding, feeders, treats and poultry supplements always in stock Plus dog food and treats, wild bird feed, rabbit and small animal feed, small holder feed too Large free car park (horse lorries welcome) Fast and free delivery (T&Cs apply) Shop open 7 days a week Top End Farm Little Staughton Bedfordshire MK44 2BY

01234 376426 topendfarm@btconnect.com

£25 DISCOUNT VOUCHER* for an Out of Hours Consultation for our clients. *Terms & Conditions apply

IN AN EMERGENCY

Acorn House operates an emergency service run by our own permanent team of vets and nurses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. • This service is run from our own premises (unlike some practices who require you to travel to other premises out of hours). • We have a dedicated oncall nurse caring for pets who stay at the surgery overnight. • In case of an out of hours emergency please

TELEPHONE 01234 261839.

Please visit our website for further details & pricing

Acorn House Veterinary Hospital Linnet Way, Brickhill, Bedford MK41 7HN

Tel: 01234 261839

www.acornhousevets.com Register online today.