Blog

The Habitat Aid blog is set in Somerset. The blog tries to introduce some of the issues surrounding our natural environment as understood by a non ecologist. You’ll also find some practical “how to” guides. It’s written by Nick Mann, who runs Habitat Aid. Nick is an increasingly curmudgeonly bald middle-aged bloke of familiar type.

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The Cricket Field Oak
January 28, 2018
In winter when I do the washing up I can see the Cricket Field Oak. It's usually through Somerset rain which, as you can see, has left its mark ove...
- Hookgate Cottage
- trees and woodland
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Habitat Restoration
January 9, 2018
"Make it so", booms Jean-Luc Picard. And snick snack snorum, it is made so. If only life were as simple as it is aboard the USS Enterprise. And if ...
- trees and woodland
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Farmland - Does It Really Matter and What Should We Do With It?
January 4, 2018
Much interest in Michael Gove's prognostications on farmland subsidies today. This is a really important issue for environmentalists - perhaps more...
- Read more
Back From The Brink ("BftB")
November 16, 2017
I popped up to Windsor Great Park yesterday for the launch of a project called "Back From The Brink", or BftB. What a fascinating time I had. Da...
- Read more
Hedge Planting In The Wet
February 5, 2016
Hedge and copse scheme, Cambridgeshire. By my reckoning, this bare root planting season the Habitat Aid hedge elves will have planted something ...
- Read more
Flooding... Yet Again. Why Are We Ignoring Some Simple Answers?
December 8, 2015
It's not surprising that flooding is an issue much discussed hereabouts. I've blogged about it in 2013 and 2014, so hey, why not now too. It is a p...
- flooding
- trees and woodland
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Elder, Sambucus nigra
January 11, 2015
Our native Elder, Sambucus nigra, is a mysterious and fascinating plant. Is it a tree or a shrub? In the Middle Ages it was said to be the tree tha...
- trees and woodland
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Blackthorn
December 1, 2014
Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, is a really lovely plant. You don't tend to find it in towns, where its suckering tendency (it's not great in lawns) an...
- trees and woodland
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Cherry Plum, Prunus cerasifera
March 12, 2014
The cherry plum Prunus cerasifera is one of my favourite "native"* British trees. It was originally recommended to me by a local beekeeper as the e...
- bees
- trees and woodland
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When Tree Planting Sucks
November 20, 2012
Time for a rethink
- trees and woodland
- Read more
Sackcloth and Ashes
October 26, 2012
When "native" isn't native and why it matters
- trees and woodland
- Read more
Phoargh! Nice Understory...
September 11, 2012
The understory's story, chapter one
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The Cricket Field Oak

Habitat Restoration

Farmland - Does It Really Matter and What Should We Do With It?

Back From The Brink ("BftB")

Hedge Planting In The Wet

Flooding... Yet Again. Why Are We Ignoring Some Simple Answers?

Elder, Sambucus nigra

Blackthorn

Cherry Plum, Prunus cerasifera

When Tree Planting Sucks

Sackcloth and Ashes

Phoargh! Nice Understory...