Stanmore Common Nature Trail
Long trail post 4: This magnificent beech tree is certainly over 150 years old, possibly a lot older. At least 50 years ago it was pollarded, that is, the stem was cut and new sprouts allowed to grow that have now become four massive boughs. Look on the ground for the fruit of the beech tree called mast. Like its relative the oak, beech holds its nut in a cup, but the beech cup is spiny and has four lobes. Almost all the cups on the ground will be empty, the nut inside eaten by birds or mammals.

16 metres along the path on the left is a much smaller Y shaped beech tree. Deer have ripped off the bark at the base, either to eat when food is scarce in winter or while rubbing the velvet off their new antlers. The velvet is living blood vessel rich tissue which helps the antlers to grow. Once the antlers have reached full size the deer scrapes off the covering. Antlers are softer when growing and only harden fully once exposed to the air. As the deer runs the velvet off there are scent glands at the antler base and so rubbing leaves a message to other deer. As you walk the trail, look carefully for the cloven hoofprints of deer. Three deer species are found on the Common. Follow this link for more on the three species of deer on the Common and their tracks

To description for long trail post 5

More on some of the birds you are likely to see or hear on the Common

Click here to learn more about the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum including guided walks and conservation workdays.