Friday 8 December 2023

The most attractive bark?


If I tell you this post is about having an attractive bark, you would be forgiven for thinking you'll be reading about my mellifluous vocal range.

But you would be wrong. (And not for the reason Gail suggests, namely that my bark is far from my most appealing feature.)

No, today we're taking a closer look at the bark on some of the trees I saw on a frosty walk around Loch Clair and Loch Coulin last Saturday. 

The lochs are fringed with a variety conifers and broadleafs, some native, some introduced. At this time of year, the tree trunk is the most conspicuous feature. Both Gail and I are agreed that the bark of the ancient Scots pine has the most 'character'. Don't you just love the muted pinkish-brown and grey colours and the gnarly textures?

Running a close second to the Scots pine is another common native species, the always delightful silver birch. 

The frosted birch trees look so pretty set against the blue waters of Loch Clair.

Further along the path, the smooth trunk of a beech provides a nice contrast to the pines and birches. Beech trees are native to southern parts of the UK, but not to the Torridon area.
 
Finally, we have another interloper, and rather a scruffy one in my opinion. Some sort of cypress, at a guess. (Gail's phone app was undecided.)

That's all for this week. Happy Nature Friday! 

15 comments:

  1. happy nature furryday... we think a terrier bark is beautiful too LOL

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  2. I, like you, also have a very attractive bark. Just ask me.

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  3. That was an interesting walk, Nobby, and you and Gail learned something new - as did we. Not much use here of course because we just have lots of pine trees or palms on common land and the unusual trees are in people's gardens.
    Love,
    Paca xx

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  4. Lovely barks. They become even more interesting with age and the depredations of wildlife.

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  5. We are loving all of the different textures of the bark! We have a Copper Beech tree right outside our house and it's a beauty but a real pain to keep up with all the "dirt".

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  6. Hari Om
    Well Nobby, I am impressed with this focus on tree trunks. So much still to enjoy in the wintery landscape. Hugs and wags YAM-aunty xxx

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  7. i have always been fond of bark, not dog bark but tree bark. these are fantastic, the first one looks a lot like the loblolly pine in our back yard. we have two. I enjoyed the heave frost on the sides of the path too, we don't have that here.

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  8. Nobby I love how frost and snow attach to the pines every where they live. Quite artistic too. Your pictures today have lots of bark and no bite.
    Sorry that had to be said...Thanks for sharing all of these with us.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  9. That's some cool looking tree bark you found. We have lots of different trees in our yard with various types of bark too.

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  10. We think the ancient Scottish pine also wins the "most attractive" bark. Has Gail ever seen Ponderosa Pine(and bark) while visiting the US?? We found it in Utah and Colorado and it reminds us of the Scottish pine with one bonus...it smells wonderful...like vanilla!!
    xoxo,
    Rosy & Sunny

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  11. Some great textures there Nobby. Did you wet any of them to see what the colour change might be? Check them for peemail?

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  12. Nobby ~ always good to see you ~ Wow great photos of the various tree bark ~ I like your 'bark' better, though ~ lol

    Wishing you good health, laugther and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  13. While we are not overly familiar with your bark, we are sure it is a wonderful one. We loved your trees and we hope you left some mail on them. Lee and Phod

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  14. Tree bark is always a tree's distinguishing feature! That cypress is messy, BOL!

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  15. Beautiful, nice to enjoy nature even in the cold days of December. Our mom loves birch trees, wishes she could have one.

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