pumpkinstrokemarrow

Sometimes I wonder about what makes ivy go. It seems to thrive, on the ground, in the shade at the bottom of the garden. It also seems to thrive up spindly & straggly trees at the edge of woods where they can get some light - for example those along the edge of Epsom Common. I have also heard it alleged that it thrives on trees which are sick and are unable to resist its embrace. I suppose the idea, which sounds a bit far fetched when articulated, is that the healthy tree can erect chemical defences against the advances of the ivy up and into its trunk. Far fetched, but I believe that there are some quite tricky chemical interactions between the roots of trees and the fungi with which they live in symbiosis. Or around the dead bits of trees and the fungi hammering at the gates. So who knows?

Then yesterday, near the Epsom Common end of Horton Lane I came across the tree illustrated, the clearest example of an ivy stunted tree that I have ever come across - although, once again, this Nokia picture does not do it justice. The left hand side of the tree is healthy enough, but the right hand side had been left very weak by the strong growth of ivy, now severed at the base and browning nicely. I do not suppose that the tree will ever regain its balance, but what caused the ivy to rampage up the right hand side of the tree rather than the left hand side in the first place? Did there used to be another tree to the right which weakened that side of our tree, thus leaving eco-space for the ivy to rush into on its death & destruction?

Back home to be greeted, courtesy of the National Trust, with a begging brochure from the Woodland Trust (http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk). A gang which I had warm feelings about; they hug the trees which I love. But this brochure has rather put me off. If I give them money, which I was on the point of doing, I get all kinds of bits and bobs as part of my membership pack. For all the world as if I was the birthday boy visiting McDonald's (http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk) for my birthday party and was being presented with my goodies bag on exit. The brochure is now shredded, on the way to the compost heap and the donation was never made. Not the first charity which has got up my nose with the junk they send you by way of inducement or thank you: the money is supposed to be spent on the trees.

I suppose the media & advertising types who carry so much weight in today's world of charities know what they are doing: what is good for DFS or Viking River Cruises is good for the Woodland Trust. But I don't have to like it.

PS: even the shredder protested and needed to be cleaned after doing most of the deed.