Stanmore Common Nature Trail
Long trail post 9: A line of yew trees gives a dark, sombre appearance to the wood on the left. The area ahead is more open and there are patches of bluebells.To the right of the path is an old tractor tyre - it has been here as long as any of the volunteers who maintain the site can remember!

Twenty paces ahead notice a dead tree that has fallen away from the path, with its base close to the path on the right. We know what killed this tree: look carefully and you can see a network of what look like black bootlaces. These are the mycelium of honey fungus Armillaria, one of the few fungi that attacks and kills living trees.

To description for long trail post 10

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

More on the three species of deer on the Common and their tracks

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