Our May back cover seemed so fitting for our ‘Leaf’ theme this month, we put it on the front cover, too. Here are a few more things to learn about leaves this month
Now the trees are in leaf, wouldn’t it be lovely to actually know what you’re looking at on a woodland wander? The Woodland Trust has some good advice on learning to identify trees by their leaves. It suggests first looking at whether the leaves are broadleaf (simple leaves in one part like oak leaves) or compound (made up of several different leaflets such as rowan or horse chestnut). Other things to look at are the shape and size of leaves as well as the colour. Check to see if the edges are toothed or smooth, too. Count the veins on the bottom of the leaf and note whether they are straight or curved. The Trust has a free Tree ID app to download on their website (woodlandtrust.org.uk) which is very useful for when you’re out and about, and you can buy a leaf swatch book from their shop, too. If you want more detailed information, Collins’ Complete Guide to British Trees means you will never again bark up the wrong tree.
The leaf identifier is taken from our Almanac pages, which provide inspiration each month on things to note and notice, plan and do. The nature table image above was taken by Alice Tatham of The Wildwood Moth. She also runs workshops on seasonal photography and publishes seasonal journal stories from her home in Dorset.
Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe
