The trees in Nowhere Wood are always there, going quietly through the motions of the seasons: noticed only when we stop to look and reflect. But we feel their presence strongly, just out of sight and mind.
Until today, when their absence feels like the loss of dear friends.
Fallen ash tree trunks at the quarry face of Nowhere Wood. [Photograph: Neil Ingram]It only took a morning, and nearly 100 years of growth has ended. Yes, they had Ash dieback disease and were marked with a red spot. Yes, they were unstable on the quarry floor. Even so, we feel their loss keenly.
Trees with Ash dieback disease are marked with a red spot. [Photograph: Neil Ingram]The wood will regenerate, but only if we can remove the trunks from the woodland floor. Else we shall see little re-development in our lifetimes. This problem is one that we have to own.
The robin is an optimistic opportunist. Making the best of new opportunities amongst the fallen branches of ash. [Photograph: Neil Ingram]In the mean time, life goes on amidst the debris of fallen trees.
![Fallen ash tree trunks at the quarry face of Nowhere Wood. [Picture: Neil Ingram]](https://blog.neilingram.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/7748b521-4f7b-4085-9e74-d5971937b62a-1024x768.jpg)
![Trees with Ash dieback disease are marked with a red spot. [Picture: Neil Ingram]](https://blog.neilingram.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_2857-1024x768.jpeg)
