Guide to a pleasant 50 minute tree walk around the village - Walk 1Start from the village shop, turn left and walk up past the Red Lion pub. | Beech
1. The road is arched over by two fine purple (or copper) beeches (1). This is a cultivated form of the native beech tree. In autumn, “beech mast” litters the pavements. The triangular seeds can be peeled and eaten if full, but check first by squashing them. Continue up the road and stand opposite the school grounds. |  | Sycamore
2. The last two trees in the grounds are sycamores (2) with their spiky maple family leaves. Some see these as "rampant alien weeds”, while others claim them as native, but all should admire specimens such as these. Turn left along the track opposite the school. |  | Lime
3. On the second corner, hanging over the stream, there is a multi-stemmed lime tree (3). This tree has been “coppiced”, that is cut down to a stump and allowed to re-grow producing a large number of trunks. Young lime leaves are edible and great in a spring salad. Follow the lane to the end and bear left across the cattle grid. Notice a number of tree cages protecting saplings planted by Trees for Cotherstone. |  | Ash
4. In the hedge next to the track is a fine ash tree (4). In the spring the thick lumpy looking twigs are tipped with distinctive black buds and the female trees carry the “ash keys” from the previous autumn. Ash is always last to get its leaves and first to drop them. Leave the lane and turn left at the barrier at the top of the bank. |  | Oak
5. The first tree you pass under is an oak (5). Check the progress of this year’s acorn crop. Oaks are deeply rooted in our pagan past. Oak leaves and acorns spout from the mouth of the leafy “green man” symbol. The oak used in old navy ships has made the oak our national tree. Go through the gate, shutting it behind you. Cross over the stile and continue along the track. |  | Holly and Hazel
6/7. First you will see a clump of dark holly trees (6) and beyond them is a multi-stemmed hazel tree (7). In spring, the hazel branches bear male catkins and strange small red brushes, which are the female flowers that become tasty nuts in autumn. Continue along the path and stop just before the fallen tree trunk. | | Larch
8. On the bank are a number of larch trees (8). Last year’s brown cones and this year’s paler ones stud the downward sweeping branches. Larch is the only conifer to lose its needles in winter. The new bright green needles can be seen in April. Cross over a stile/gate on your left, turn right past a wooden shed and cross over another stile/gate. Turn left along the lane and walk back to the village. |  | Cedar of Lebanon
9. As you reach the west village green, stop opposite the Fox & Hounds and note the splendid Cedar of Lebanon (9) tree to your right. Although not a native of Britain, such exotic trees can enhance artificial landscapes. |  | | | | | Cross the road to the Fox & Hounds. This is the end of walk 1 | |
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Tree Walks 
