Beech stubs

These Beech stubs - beech trees that have grown on from ancient hedges - are dotted all along the old wood boundary banks around the edge of the nature reserve. There are clear signs that this hedge was once laid, the vertical stems being partly cut through and then forced into a horizontal position to strengthen and thicken the hedge, making it stock proof. It must be well over 100 years since this was last done and wire fencing then took over to keep stock in the surrounding fields and out of the wood. Further along this bank there is a section of Hornbeam, similarly treated. These wood boundary Beech and Hornbeam stubs are a familiar sight in the Chilterns, but apparently not so common in other parts of the country.