Wood You Believe It

Somewhere nestled in the woodlands of the Midford valley....is a small hamlet wherein dwells an old farming friend and his familywho have a passion for old tractors and who have farmed the area for çenturies'!

Living off the beaten track on the edge of the wood...when the sun decides not to shine and the winter cold begins to bite..the mainstay of their heat source comes from the abundance of resources round about their ample farmhouse and looking at this pile of logs...they are well set up for all that the winter chooses to send their way!

For these simple logs, so neatly stacked, were once proud woodland trees....now there's a thought!

Birds would call them home, squirrels would use them as storage units and we all know what dogs do to them! Still, the humble tree has an immensely important task in this world of ours.

They inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen.

An acre of trees produce enough oxygen for 18 individuals every day...and devour enough carbon dioxide as a car produces when driven 26,000 miles!

Their roots look after the soils well being gathering minerals and water and securing the ground around them. Without this process, erosion takes place and chokes streams and rivers leading to serious flooding.

We, in turn, tap trees to extract the active ingredients used in combating anything from asthma to coughs. In particular, the bark and needles of the yew tree contain an agent used to make taxol...an anti cancer medicine. Even the explorer Jacques Cartier attributed the cure for his scurvy ridden crew to the making of tea from the bark of the Eastern White Cedar, laden with vitamin C.

Who isn't aware of a certain species that has a central role in our celebrations when Christmas comes around? Of all the decorations in our homes at this festive time, though some may be forgotten, the tree plays its pivotal role.

We hew it down, pot it up and adorn it with glitter and baubles as though it were receiving a knighthood ... and so it should! With what fortitude it has withstood the winter blasts, secured the soil, been home to numerous eco systems, afforded shelter to many a woodland animal and now....its moment has arrived...the centre of attention in many a home tonight!

On 12th night when all festivities cease, its existence will not have been in vain. Many will make their way into the compost bin ready to be mulched down into food and fertiliser for the next generation of trees to take their place, and by early Spring a new band of saplings will be awaiting their own moment of glory...many, many Christmases from now!

Maybe that's why David the Psalmist said, "" The trees of the forest will sing with joy before the Lord" 1 Chron 16:33

What wondrous thoughts enter your head when gazing at an old friend's log pile!!!!

Happy Blipping Everyone