tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998479738444661160.post1679124917634232255..comments2023-11-13T07:19:45.061+00:00Comments on CABINET OF CURIOSITIES: More tree silhouettes in winterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998479738444661160.post-71691774085733894532016-02-16T09:15:22.842+00:002016-02-16T09:15:22.842+00:00the 'jizz' of a species is a really intere...the 'jizz' of a species is a really interesting concept, isn't it? I suppose it's all about the search images that you carry around in your head, that help to identify species from just a brief glimpse but also alert you to anything that's not quite right or a little different - which often turns out to be something unusual and interesting. <br /><br />trees fascinate me because more than any other plants, probably because of their long life span which allows them ton acquire their individual characters as well as species characteristics. This is more evident when they're leafless in winter in winter than in summer when so much is hidden by foliage. <br /><br />I'll look out for those silver birches as we often head over in Kirkby Stephen direction to do the walk around the viaducts or to visit Smardale Gill NNR. All the best, PhilPhilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15609107148344256875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998479738444661160.post-18596399911050974992016-02-15T21:20:06.600+00:002016-02-15T21:20:06.600+00:00It's interesting that the 'jizz' of a ...It's interesting that the 'jizz' of a species is usually the preserve of birders and using it in botanical context is sometimes viewed with contempt. I'm quite relaxed when people say they know what a tree is because well, "it just is!". For me, I think, the jizz of a tree is often that distinctive shape, and it's great reading your posts that articulate the identification feature of that habit that many of us probably subconsciously observe but cannot express.<br /><br />I've always struggled with Silver and Downy birch, and the 'pendula' bit in Betula pendula has often been the clincher. If you ever travel from Brough to Kirkby Stephen there are a couple of really striking examples of B. pendula with wonderful drooping branches as you get to close to Kirkby Stephen.Dougie Nisbethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16825374467344319561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4998479738444661160.post-76092701814428814592016-02-09T09:39:44.395+00:002016-02-09T09:39:44.395+00:00Thanks again Phil. Very useful, I will keep the li...Thanks again Phil. Very useful, I will keep the links in a folder.ADRIANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07113961163396562781noreply@blogger.com