forest groups

Last evening, along the shores of Finn Lough in Clare I spotted three small three groups close together. I only had the phone for a camera so not too clear, but maybe they could be a useful guide some bonsai day...

willow and birch island

small pine group

beech (?) forest

lone hawthorn

Someday I'll end up in the ditch. As I drive along these days I'm constantly peering over hedgerows and into fields looking for trees with character. This whitethorn/hawthorn is just on the outskirts of Kilreekil on the old main road between Loughrea and Ballinasloe. The trunk leans slightly into the prevailing wind and then kinks back before straightening out again. 

lone hawthorn near kilreekil

Whitethorn Fairy Trees

These whitethorns are common still in the area of East Clare where I live. More and more they are being cut down when fields are being 'improved'. However many farmers are reluctant to disturb them as they are associated with pisreogs and fairy forts. They usually have a clear stem to about one and a half metres (often multi-stemmed), and generally have a broad crown. Ivy sometimes takes hold and makes them very top-heavy, leaving them prone to wind damage. In more exposed areas they take on a wind-swept appearance.