Recently we went a great walk around Charlwood, taking in two Woodland Trust sites where we also do volunteer tasks. It was before the recent rain, but still heavy going on the muddier paths.
One of the woods we passed through, Glovers Wood, is thought to be an ancient woodland and is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Charlwood itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and so is at least Saxon in origin. All this within a couple of miles of Gatwick Airport, but then of course, that is the point of the Gatwick Greenspace Partnership.
Although the sky looks threatening, the weather was kind to us and we stayed dry.
This is an veteran yew in the churchyard at Charlwood. The church is Norman in origin, being built in about 1080, but altered since then. Dating yews is an inexact science and relates to the circumference of the trunk. This one has a girth of 7m 21cm / 23ft 8 inches, which suggests this tree is at least as old and possibly predates the church. (The church isn't subsiding, but suffering from bad photography!)
However, the view from the other side of the yew reveals a sad story. The yew is clearly declining, with much dead wood. The bole is hollow, which is not a problem, although scorching inside shows it has been the victim of an arson attack. However yews are remarkable trees and are able to regenerate, so I suspect this individual will be around for many years to come.
Finally a welcome sign of spring, of which more next week.
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