The Magnificent Oak: Nature's Majestic Icon

Hello and welcome to this week's Wildlife Matters podcast.

I'm your host, Nigel Palmer.

It's autumn here in the UK, which is undoubtedly one of my favourite times of the year.

It's not that cold yet.

In fact, it's been up to 20.

Degrees here in the south of England.

During the last week or so, and yesterday I even found a confused cowslip flowering away in a local meadow.

We kick off series five for the autumn and winter of 24 and 25 with a look at the best known tree in the UK, the magnificent and mighty oak.

As part of our series, the Trees of Great Britain, we will also spend some time in nature with mindful moments with what must be one of the most iconic garden birds in this country, and preview what's in store for you in series five of the Wildlife Matters podcast.

But before all that, let's head over.

To the news desk for the latest.

Update in this week's Wildlife Matters Nature.

News.

Hello and welcome to this week's IG Wildlife Matters and nature news.

This week we'll investigate claims that wildlife crime and animal cruelty are rising in the UK.

We also look into the mysterious deaths of swans and other birds on a London canal.

But first, let's examine the bill from Labour MP Ruth Jones to ban fur products from the UK, which is set to go before current parliament.

Riv Jones is the MP for Newport west.

She presented a private member's bill to.

Parliament on Wednesday, October 16.

The bill calls for a ban on the import of animal fur products to the UK.

Misses Jones was one of 20 mp's to have their name successfully drawn in this year's private members ballot.

Private members bills give backbench MP's such as misses Jones the opportunity to bring forth draft legislation for MP's to vote on the issue surrounding the import of animal fur is close to Misses Jones Hart, as she was the Labour Party's shadow minister for animal welfare before this summer's general election, a role in which.

She helped to scrutinise the Conservatives record on the issue.

Ruth Jones Bill comes 21 years after Tony Blair's Labour government outlawed fur farming back in 2003.

Despite this, it is still legal to import and sell fur into the United Kingdom.

Bruce Jones Bill proposes to extend existing bans on the trade in fur from cats, dogs and seals to include animals such as foxes, raccoon dogs, mink, chinchilla, coyotes and other animals killed for fur fashion and prevent the important sale of all animal fur.

Ruth Jones told wildlife matters that hundreds of my constituents have contacted me with concerns about Britain's part in the cruel fur trade.

It's been more than 20 years since.

We banned fur farming in the UK.

But importing these products from overseas remains illegal.

We can end this hypocrisy with this bill I have presented to parliament and I dedicate it to the people of Newport west and animal campaigners across the country who believe in a kinder, safer and fur free future for us all.

The Daily Mirror, which has been running its fur free campaign for many years now, has described the bill's introduction as a huge win.

The Mirrors Furfree campaign has attracted the support from various celebrities, including Dame Judi Dench, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Brian May and the broadcaster Kirsty Gallagher.

The Fur Free Britain campaign, in partnership with the Humane Society UK, has also gathered more than 1.2 million petition signatures to support its cause to date, if passed, this bill would ban the importation of fur products to Great Britain and the sale of fur products in England.

Our second story this week is our look into the question that animal cruelty appears to be increasing in the UK.

This week, wildlife matters received information on a reported incident in Carlisle, where the youths were shooting at otters.

This incident is just one of many similar reports received recently, which indicate a disturbing increase in wildlife crime and animal cruelty in the UK.

This is a matter of grave concern and requires immediate attention and action from us all.

This incident, which happened near Sheep Mount.

In Cumbria, involved a man trying to.

Stop the youths from shooting at otters with an air pistol.

This resulted in both the man and his dog being shot with an air pistol in retaliation.

A spokesperson for the hunt saboteurs expressed their concern over the deliberate targeting of otters, which are a protected species with guns.

Lee Moon told wildlife Matters that shooting animals for fun is cruel and totally unexpected.

The hunt sabs have urged individuals with.

Firsthand information about the incident to report it to the police.

This calls for collective action to protect our wildlife and prevent repeated incidents.

The RSPCA has recently released details of 896 incidents reported to them between 2020 and 2022.

Three that involved weapons.

It was crossbow attacks increased with eleven incidents in 2023 compared to seven in the year before.

Additionally, there was a slight increase in catapult for slingshot incidents up to 28, and in Cumbria, six incidents were reported during this period.

Wildlife matters wants to emphasize that otters are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside act of 1981 and the Conservation of Habitat and Species Regulations of 2017.

It is illegal to injure, capture, disturb.

Or to kill an otter intentionally.

But it's not only harming otters that's illegal.

Damaging, destroying or disrupting otters, their breeding sites or shelters, even if they're not currently in use, is also an illegal offence.

Wildlife groups are committed to prosecuting anyone caught harming these and other protected wildlife species.

And in our third story this week, we're looking into the mysterious deaths of more than 25 swans which have been found dead on a canal in London.

Swan support, a charity dedicated to swans and aquatic birds, has informed wildlife matters that it received reports at the end of September regarding several dead birds found along the Grand Union Canal at Bankside near Southall.

The charity has since discovered over 25 swans, 15 geese, three ducks, two coots and a moorhen in the canal, which runs through Uxbridge.

The mystery surrounding the dead birds has deepened as tests on the first set of dead swans returned negative for avian influenza, which is also known as bird flu.

Swan support is not ruling out poisoning or pollution, and along with the community.

Group, Friends of the Grand Union Canal is calling for an investment investigation, which Defra has now confirmed they have launched.

A friend of Grand Union Canal spokesperson told us, our members first reported dead swans on the 24 September after heavy rain.

Since then, we have had many more reports.

In fact, almost daily, Swan support has been collecting the bodies which we thank them for, but this is very upsetting for their volunteers and ours and our local community, Swan support told us, whilst we are willing to recover the bodies from the water, we cannot cover the disposal costs and it is not our responsibility to do so.

Also, we do not know what we are dealing with.

It's an illness of some kind which is clearly spreading.

We can't be sure if bird flu is the cause or if it's a toxin in the water and therefore precautions need to be taken to protect those at swans already in our care and those we rescue outside of this area.

A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said, we are concerned by the reports of dead swans in west London.

Defra is the authority responsible for investigating potential outbreaks of bird flu.

We do support their work by reporting dead birds to them and following their directions on removal.

They also advise the public not to touch or pick up dead or visibly sick birds, but to call the Defra helpline and that number is 03459 double three, double five, double seven.

That is zero three four five nine three three five five seven.

A Defra animal and Plant health agency spokesperson told wildlife matters, we are aware of several wild bird deaths in the Uxbridge area in west London and are investigating these deaths as part of our wild bird surveillance program, wildlife matters will continue to follow this and other wildlife crime stories and report on any new.

Issues we know of.

Please help support our investigative journalism to stamp out wildlife cruelty and crime, and follow nature and wildlife politicism in parliament by supporting this podcast via our website, ways to help page.

And that has been this week's wildlife Matters Nature news.

Now let's take a few moments to immerse ourselves in nature in this week's wildlife matters mindful moments.

Today on wildlife matters and mindful moments, we'll be listening to a small bird.

You may see in your garden local.

Park or woodlands here in the UK, both the male and female birds hold.

Territories as a pair in the summer.

And as individuals in the winter and they will fiercely defend their territories, often singing loudly from prominent perches.

Unlike other birds, these small birds sing.

All year round except for a short period during midsummer whilst they are in.

Moult and they are among the first.

To join the dawn chorus every morning and are often the last to stop singing every evening.

These birds are bold around people and.

May even approach you if you remain quiet.

Quiet enough?

Can you guess which bird we're talking about?

Well, if not, let's take a few.

Moments to relax and enjoy their beautiful.

Song in this week's wildlife matters mindful moments.

It so I'm sure most of you.

Would have guessed by now.

It's a delicate but distinctive song with warbling notes, whistles and clear pauses.

The song is soft and mournful in.

Autumn and winter, becoming clearer and more powerful in spring and summer.

You may have heard the distinctive tick.

Sound which is often repeated during their.

Calls throughout the year.

The population of these birds in the UK has increased by 45% since the 1970s and is continuing to rise each year.

The biggest threat they face is a prolonged severe winter.

During cold nights, they can lose up.

To 10% of their body weight just.

To keep warm and that can be.

Faithful if they cannot replenish that fat reserves with food.

Providing food during cold weather can help them and other garden birds who will.

Appreciate any scraps or fat balls and.

Other food that you can put out for them.

If you haven't guessed yet, we are talking about the robin which became the iconic bird of Christmas during the victorian.

Era when postman were nicknamed robins due to their red waistcoats.

Robins began to appear on Christmas cards to represent the postman who delivered them from one icon of british wildlife to another.

This week's a wildlife matters main feature is the first part of our series on the trees of Great Britain, where we begin with arguably our most iconic tree, the magnificent and mighty english hoax.

Hello and welcome to this week's wildlife.

Matters, a main feature, and today we're.

Looking at the most popular tree for most people in the whole country, the mighty oak.

The ancient oak forests of England hold a special place in our hearts.

It is often said that England was built on oak, and it's true that the oak tree has played a significant role in the nation's development.

For centuries, our ancestors carried acorns for good luck and to ward off illness, and many ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Celts and druids, believed that the oak tree was magical.

And speaking of magic, the Christmas yule log initially was an oak log decorated with mistletoe and holly, and it's a testament to the tree's importance to humans.

Today, the oak tree's impressive legacy can be seen in prestigious oak wood buildings and beautiful ancient oak furniture.

The reverse of the one pound coin features an oak tree, and the National Trust's emblem is a sprig of oak leaves and acorns, and the royal oak is one of the most popular names for pubs in the whole of the UK.

The english oak tree, called pendunculate oak, or quercus in Latin, belongs to the beech family.

It is considered the king of the forest due to the impressive height, age and strength or traits that have contributed to it being our national tree.

Oak trees have been around for much longer than humans, dating back about 300,000 years ago during the interglacial period.

Despite the shrinking woodland areas, the english oak tree continues to thrive and it is an integral part of our natural heritage.

Oak trees are common in the midlands and throughout the south and east of England.

Their broad, rounded crowns and grey fissured bark make them easily recognizable.

These trees have been a favorite among children for generations, with their branches often growing low on the trunks they make, which makes them perfect for climbing.

The British Isles have two native oak species, quercus robur, known as the common or pendunculate oak, and quercus petraea, or the sessile oak.

Sessile oak is older and grows naturally in upland areas, while quercus roba, or penduncular oak, prefers the lower region.

To differentiate between sessile and penduncular oak, you need to look at their acorns.

Acorns from penduncular oak are borne on stalks, while those from sessile oak are not.

Additionally, if you examine the dead leaves on the tree during winter, you'll notice that the leaf stalks are very short on a penduncular oak oak tree buds resemble small nuts, arranged spirally on the outer twigs and clustered at the twig tips.

Oak leaves begin to emerge between mid April and mid May.

They are quite distinctive, with three to six unequal thumb shaped lobes on either side of the leaf, giving them that wavy edged look.

Often, tiny discs made by insects called galls appear on the underside of the leaves, but they do not seriously affect the tree and the leaves fall off in October and November.

The leaves of the penduncular oak usually appear a few weeks earlier than those of the sessile oak, and the difference in their leaves are one of the.

Two ways to identify which species of.

Oak the tree is sessile.

Oak leaves have a longer stalk and lack the ear lobes of the penduncular toque at the bottom to the leaf next to the stalk.

Oaks grown on open land tend to spread out, while those surrounded by other trees in a woodland setting tend to grow taller and stay slim.

Oak trees have deep roots and can withstand drought, and that may be how oak will survive the current climate change issues that impact the UK and every country worldwide.

Oak trees prefer moist, mineral rich soil with a ph of 4.9 to 5.4.

Oak trees can tolerate water logging for long periods, and this includes salt water.

Finding an oak tree that's over 300 years old can be challenging, since oaks were typically pollarded in the past to provide firewood and timber for new buildings.

The Newlands oak was the largest english oak tree ever recorded.

When it fell, its trunk measured a staggering 45ft in circumference.

Today, the oldest oak tree in Britain stands in Sherwood Forest, with a circumference of 33ft and weighing over 23 tons.

It is estimated to be around 800 to 1000 years old.

Oakwood is solid and durable.

It's perfect for building frames, furniture, wine and spirit barrels, and, of course, for making charcoal.

You can still find oak furniture that was made in the 14th century for.

Sale, but it is as expensive as it is beautiful.

Oak trees produce male flowers as slender, pale green catkins, while female flowers are on spiked stalks.

This unique characteristic of oak trees is a fascinating aspect of their reproductive cycle.

During the summer, green acorns develop and sit in a small cup.

Oaks do not produce acorns every year, but when they do, they fall, usually leaving the cup behind and turning brown as they lie on the ground.

An oak tree typically starts producing acorns between 25 and 40 years old and makes the most during its middle age, which is between 80 and 120 years.

As the oak tree ages, acorn production.

And overall growth slow down and the tree will start to lose branches as it ages.

During early spring, an oak tree grows a primary shoot that leads to the formation of two opposite leaves.

Oak trees can grow to have a massive spread, which adds to their grandeur.

The outer branches may die and fall, leaving behind decaying stumps.

Over time, oaks undergo a natural process called crown death, where the highest branches die back first.

As the tree ages, the heartwood of the main trunk also dies and rots, but the tree can remain in good health.

This gives the ancient oaks the distinct appearance of being three quarters dead.

Once fallen, an acorns first task is to send out a red shoot that roots in the ground and becomes a central taproot.

This descends deeply in search of water.

When it comes to acorns, the stalk lengths are reversed.

The pendunculate oak tree bears acorns on long stalks or pedunces, hence the name, while the sessile oak has clusters of acorns on short stalks attached directly to the outer twigs.

The pendunculate oak is more tolerant of extremes of climate.

It grows in valleys near rivers and on dampen, moist land that is not too acidic.

Its ability to root into heavier soils is ecologically valuable for its structure, improving, and drainage effects.

Its ability to root into heavier soils is ecologically valuable for its soil structure, improving and drainage effects.

The sessile oak grows in more acidic, poorer soil conditions and even sandy soils, but is much less tolerant of flooding than the pendunculot oak oak, however, it does thrive at higher altitudes.

Oaks are some of the most important trees in the british countryside.

They provide a home to diverse species crucial to the ecosystem.

Did you know that as many as 284 species of insects can call a single oak tree home?

We now know that oaks are essential for the survival of certain butterfly species, such as the purple hair streak and the purple emperor acorn.

Eating animals like jays and squirrels also play a vital role in the spread of oaks when they bury the acorns in the ground, allowing the trees to propagate and grow.

Oaks also serve as a habitat for many british bat species, which roost in their hollows during the day.

Some birds, such as the greater spotted woodpeckers, spotted flycatchers, and nuthatches, find food and shelter in oak trees, making them an essential part of the ecosystem.

Wild primroses, bluebells, ransoms, or wild garlic and violets, thrive in the rich soil found beneath oak trees.

Combining the trees deep roots and the nutrients they extract from the soil creates an ideal environment for these delicate plants to grow and flourish.

I've heard some ecologists say that individual oaks should be designated as nature reserves to continue providing homes for all those species.

And overall, the oak tree's importance in our ecosystems cannot be overstated.

They are a vital part of our natural heritage, supporting diverse species that rely on them for food, for shelter and indeed, for life.

The oak tree has been an essential part of human history and culture for centuries.

Druids used to worship in oak groves and couples would get married under the spreading branches of an oak tree.

And today the oak is the most common british native tree found in woods and hedgerows.

No other tree has played such an important role or been valued by humans, even as an object of worship and adjuration.

Traditionally cut from oak, the yule log was decorated with holly and mistletoe for Christmas.

Acorns were carried as charms to bring good luck and good health.

Oaks were pollarded for various reasons, mainly to encourage the growth of large branches at the crown, which could be used for building timbers.

Oakwood is so durable and robust that it is prized for roof timbers in great medieval grain barns, churches and cathedrals such as the one at Lincoln.

Green oak, or unseasoned oak, was invaluable for shipbuilding.

Great warships, such as Henry VIII's Mary Rose and the grace to do were built almost entirely out of Oakland.

And in 1812, over 2000, mature oak trees were used to make just one ship, called the Great Britain.

Whole.

Forests of pollarded oak were reserved for naval shipyards, and some, like my local ancient woodland at Ebono in West Sussex, still survive from ancient to medieval times.

Pigs were moved into pasture woodland to feed on acorns in the autumn.

The right to graze pigs, known as pannage, was often keenly disputed and jealously guarded.

It meant that extensive oak forests were maintained because of the acorn crop.

This function was valuable for the woodland and brought significant value to local communities.

Oaks had sacred significance in many cultures, like the holy oak of Ireland at Dumanigo, the kings of Tara in Ireland met under the oak trees.

The presence of holy oak groves, where celtic people worshipped, was well known in classical times and commented on by writers such as Strabo and Pliny.

The earliest christian synod in England met at St Augustine's Oak in Herefordshire.

People believe that fairies inhabit oak trees.

And that if you see a hole.

In the trunk, it was said to.

Be a fairy door, which could have.

Been caused by fallen branches and you should rub your hands on the hole if you want to call on the fairies.

But a word of caution this should only be done to pay your respects or to ask for their help.

Many local superstitions are associated with oak trees.

For example, fairies were believed to dance around the herns oak in Windsor Great park.

Foresters and woodmen's families used to announce the deaths to the nearest oak tree, which was said to strengthen the surviving family.

Planting an acorn during a dark moon phase was believed to bring wealth and prosperity, and hanging an acorn around a child's neck was considered to protect them from harm.

Changes in the colour of oak leaves were said to be a sign of impending disaster.

If you had to cut down an oak tree, it was recommended to do so during the waning moon phase and only when the wind comes from.

The North British Isles are home to thousands of place names associated with oak trees, another testament to the close relationship between oak trees and people.

Many farms, fields and village names have a heritage that reflects this association.

If you look at an ordnance survey map, you can find ancient oak trees grown in places such as broad oak or great oak farm, or on the lanes that lead to those farms.

If a place name starts with the letters ac, it is likely to be linked to oak trees.

For instance, Acton Bridge in Cheshire means settlement by a bridge where the oaks grow.

Acle in Norfolk means oak wood.

Acrees in kent means oak copse.

Accrington in Lancashire means settlement where acorns are found.

Aquilat mere in Staffordshire means oak glade mere.

The place names in Ireland also reflect this association, as Derry indicates an oak wood, whilst kildare means church of the oak.

Derwent, as in Derwent and Derwent water in Cumbria comes from an old celtic word, derva, which means river or lake by which oaks grow.

And finally, coptoc in suffolk means coppiced oak or oak rising to a summit.

Oaks were also said to be indicators of weather patterns.

Gods associated with oak trees are also associated with storms, especially thunder.

Due to its height and its low resistance to electricity, oak trees are far more likely to be struck by lightning than any other tree.

According to folklore, lightning is significant because people think God struck the tree to leave mistletoe behind.

The old irish rhyme called the oak.

And the ash is said to predict.

The weather based on which trees leaves appear first.

If the oak is before the ash, then we'll only have a splash.

If the ash is before the oak.

Then we'll surely have a soak.

Throughout many generations, the people of the United Kingdom and Ireland have developed a profound connection with oak trees.

Oak trees have played a significant role in folklore, mythology and practical applications such as shipbuilding, house building and furniture making.

I do hope you've enjoyed learning about.

The rich history and ecology of oak trees and the close relationship with generations of people who have lived beside them for so long here in the UK.

And that has been this week's wildlife matters main feature.

Well, I hope you enjoyed our tribute to the magnificent oak tree and learned something new about these majestic standing icons of the british landscape.

In series five of the wildlife Matters podcast, we will feature interviews with some fascinating people who are passionate about wildlife.

And nature in Britain.

From birds to badgers, from big cats to raptors, from wildlife crime to wildlife rescues.

We have some fantastic interviews for you.

We look forward to sharing some of our own work too, with episodes on woodpeckers and beautiful badgers and fabulous boxes.

And then join me for an epic two part adventure as we will explore.

One of southern Britain's oldest and wildest nature reserves.

We will also bring you some fun storytelling for Christmas and look forward to the light returning at the end of the series as we celebrate the spring equinox.

Before we go, a reminder that you can now find the Wildlife Matters podcast.

On YouTube and the we will be.

Launching videos of our walks, talks and adventures to the Wildlife Matters YouTube channel in the near future.

So please hop on over to YouTube and subscribe so you don't miss a single video or podcast.

And of course, the wildlife matters podcast can be found on Apple, Spotify and all good podcast platforms.

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Via our substack and Patreon pages or directly from our website, which is www.wildlifematters.org.

that's www.

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please do subscribe wherever you get your podcast so you don't miss an episode.

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Review, it only takes you a few moments, but it can help the algorithm to guide more people into discovering our humble a little wildlife podcast thank you, but for now, thank you for your time listening to our podcast today.

We really appreciate every one of you and we love to hear from you.

So if you'd like to chat with us, send us an email to info at wildlife high matters.org.

that's info@wildlifematters.org and wildlife matters will return.

In two weeks time, but until then.

Keep safe wild ones.

I've been your host, Nigel Palmer and this is wildlife matters signing off.