Yesterday's dog walk in the Public #forest.
This area was clear cut - the pines was diseased and being attacked by Bark Beetle (there's a helpful little sign by the footpath)
They are not native, but a timber crop - and no new pines were planted to replace. It's been left to Nature. Prob to break up the monoculture for future disease / fire break reasons.
First broom, bracken fern and Birch saplings take over - the Pioneer species. Later Beech and Oak will overtake them.
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@herissonrose Ferns are amazing.
Even through the this summer's record-breaking chaleur they've thrived, growing to nearly head height around our hedge line, providing shelter to our young trees and keeping the moisture in.
We've not had to water any of the young oaks, chestnuts or walnuts sheltering under them. They create this astonishing little microclimate while everything outside their protection is wilting and dying.