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throughout the summer. The level patches on which the heaps are burnt, 

 blackened with small fragments of charcoal, are familiar features of these woods. 



I have known Aymestrey long enough to remember this phenomenon 

 occurring in almost all parts of these extensive woods. Such woodlands as these 

 are immeasurably more picturesque than the formal coverts and plantations of 

 the modern improver, and lead ones thoughts back to the. time when these 

 hills were clad witli veritable forests, of which the present woods are doubtless 

 the descendants and counterparts. Among the rarer trees may be noticed the 

 wild Guelder rose (Viburnum Opulus) whose flat corymbs of white blossoms at 

 this season, and of brilliant red berries in the winter make it one of the greatest 

 ornaments of the place ; it thrives especially by the river-side, and on the edges 

 of the larger woods. I have often wondered why we do not find here the Bird 

 Cherry, which thrives so well in similar situations in Wales. 



The common Wild Cherry (Primus cerasus) abounds here, especially in 

 the wood to the east of the village. Its white blossoms in spring and its 

 glowing hues in autumn are very conspicuous. Privet occurs at the bottom of 

 Grayley "Wood, but perhaps it is not really wild. The Spindletree is common. 



The largest Willow I know, overhangs the river in the meadow behind 

 Yatton Court. 



There is a fine Aspen (Populus tremula) overhanging the lane that goes 

 up the hill past the lime-kiln, starting from the turnpike. At the top of that 

 lane, just where the road turns round the head of a picturesque combe, as we 

 should call it in Somerset, there is a very fine Beech tree, the growth of 

 which has something of the horizontal character of the Cedar. There was 

 formerly a very fine Beech near the turnpike at Mortimer's Cross ; but this tree 

 was blown down last winter. It was 16 feet in girth. Common Poplars are not 

 unfrequent in the vallej's. 



Mistletoe abounds here, not only in the orchards, but on other trees. 

 There are several bunches in the tall Limes near the turn to the mill. There 

 are one or two in a Mountain Ash on the lawn at Yatton Court. And greatest 

 rarity of all, the Mistletoe-oak of Deerfold Forest is within the boundary 

 of Aymestrey parish. 



Ornamental trees grow to a great size here. The variegated Hollies, 

 which, alternate with the Yews in the walk by the river-side close below 

 Aymestrey bridge, are of great size. They are doubtless a relic of the garden 

 of the old Yatton Court, which preceded the present mansion. The Limes close 

 by, and the Elms in the avenue, are also very fine : but the noble Elms which 

 used to ornament the valley below the village have most of them fallen. 

 Some of these were of unusual height, as is so very often the case in narrow 

 valleys. 



Old trees will, I fear, soon be as scarce as old churches. The rage for 

 improvement, so-called, threatens to sweep away many of the most picturesque 

 features of our country. The trees that overhung our roads are most of them 



