The leaves of the beech trees at Uppark have fallen, these elegant, undressed trees are a wonderful sight this time of year. I can’t help but admire their simple, graceful and imposing beauty on a fine January day.
This image above was taken in the autumn and the skeletal forms of these woodland trees are becoming clear. The trees have been ‘drawn up’ as they compete with their neighbours in their search for light. In spring the leaves emerge as fresh lime-green silk, delicately unfurling to produce a lime-green zing filled woodland.
This copper beech (above) shed a significant limb last summer. We’re hoping to preserve the beauty of this lovely specimen with some selective pruning to the tree’s crown to take some pressure off this fragile branch union. Below, the copper beech in the meadow has developed into a wonderfully resilient tree. The environment in which both trees grow is very different, one is very exposed in the meadow with very little protection from the prevailing winds. The other nestles close to a flint wall with a buffer of the surrounding woodland and garden. These images show a very similar branch structure and provide evidence of adaptive growth in more challenging locations.
Above the South meadow copper beech in May with the yellow rattle in the foreground, a delicious colour combination.
Below is a curiously shaped beech tree, on the edge of the woodland along the Compton road. I love looking at the simple branch structure against the blue sky, seeing how the trees develop together and become dependent on each other for support. The tree is dominated by two strong, almost vertical secondary branch leaders, the primary leader has been suppressed. The surrounding environmental factors of space and light have affected the growth habit of this beech tree.
The isolated charm of Uppark…such natural beauty. Our new season begins on 7 March, if you’d like to volunteer at Uppark – email uppark@nationaltrust.org.uk or call the office on 01730 825415 – we’d love to hear from you.
Uppark Garden 
I am always delighted when my inbox brings information, pictures and reflections on the Uppark garden. It is a gem for my day, to enjoy the garden, and some news and scenes of the house too. Since attending an interesting garden tour led by Andy Lewis, I have meant to write to say that although I have been a frequent visitor to the house, this garden experience and the garden blog bring an additional and welcome dimension to knowing about Uppark. Through all the seasons of the year, the house and the garden are special places to visit. The ‘off the beaten track’ location may for some belie the rich history and culture of the house and the estate: but hopefully they will be drawn by Andy’s blog and the Uppark website to find out more! As with one visitor last time we visited Uppark, when walking down the drive, an about 3 year old girl was skipping along saying, ‘Mummy, when shall we come again?’
Thank you so much for your kind comments.