Celebrating all the beauty and benefits of trees

Here at The Cottage Beyond we write a lot about our fabulous facilities, the beautiful TCB and our lovely farm, but maybe, as it's National Tree Week next week we should shout about our fabulous trees.  If you ask Alan when is the best time to plant a tree he'll quote the old Chinese proverb "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."  Well luckily for us during the last 50 years Kittisford Barton has invested heavily in planting trees, managing the establish woodlands and restoring hedgerows.  

Trees are commonly described as the lungs of the earth and play a huge role in the world around us.   They provide us with oxygen and are great for animals, birds and insects who need them for food and a home to live in.  A mature Oak tree is home to over 284 species of insect alone!  Whilst they are appreciated by society for their physical health benefits, they are also uplifting, calming and help heal. Studies have shown that patients with views of trees heal faster and with less complications, so if you're not feeling well make sure you look at some trees.

Next time you are here check out Kittisford Barton's trees.  Do you have a favourite one?  We think ours is the old, knarley Oak down by the pond in Little Coxlands, too huge to hug on your own, but great for a group hug and it's an excellent place for hiding one of our stamp boxes!  If you have time and wish to travel a little from here Somerset boasts having both the tallest tree in England and the fattest and possibly oldest yew tree!  You can tick off The Ashbrittle Yew and the Tallest Tree in England, a Douglas-fir near Dunster. The famous Ashbrittle Yew (just 3 miles up the hill) is Britain's largest-girthed yew measuring 12.3m. It is reputed to be over 3000 years old. The tallest tree at Nutcombe Bottom, Dunster is over 60m tall. Both trees are fully accessible to the public, free to view and well worth a look.  

Let's hear it for trees - three cheers for trees!