Elephant hide

This amazingly textured bark belongs to a very tall old poplar growing along the lane which unfortunately with its other four mates is destined for the chop. The tops of the trees are leaning dangerously towards the power line and over the thoroughfare. One of the others did snap off in the horrendous storms of last winter. The trees have lost their shape and the branches are now growing in an ungainly angular way amongst oaks and scrubby specimens forming an untidy barrier. A forester from the Forestry Commission has been out to inspect the whole copse and most will be coming down leaving a few oak trees and space to replant - at a great cost to our neighbour.

I really am getting behind with blipping but will dwindle on!