Something in the air

By Andrew Coates, Woodland Manager at Wilderness Wood.

It is about the time of year, usually after a good sunny period (far and few between at the moment), that our senses are awakened to changes in the wood. I often find myself knowing that something is a foot before I can recognise the nature of this seasonal occurrence...

...a strange musty smell tells us that the sweet chestnuts have come into flower. Some find the scent almost unpleasant, and humming boys socks may come to mind.

The sweet chestnut's male and female catkins are insect pollinated. The long male catkins take responsibility for the odourous assault on our senses.

So if you visit the wood soon, keep all of your senses alert, and if you catch a whiff on the wind (and it's not our septic tank) why not let us know what you think the chestnut flowers scent reminds you of.