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The Blackthorn Has Negative Connotations in Our Folklore but Plays a Vital Role for Hedgerow Wildlife, Says David Chapman

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The Blackthorn Has Negative Connotations in Our Folklore but Plays a Vital Role for Hedgerow Wildlife, Says David Chapman NATURE’S WAY BLACKTHORN EDGEROWS ARE a quintessential part of the British DARK H countryside and a vital habitat for our wildlife. In fact, it is estimated that 1,500 species of insect inhabit hedgerows at some point in their life cycles. Many hedgerows have been around for hundreds of years, providing a constant material source of safety and food for numerous generations of wild animals. The blackthorn has negative Hedgerows which have been in existence since before the Enclosure connotations in our folklore Acts in the 18th and 19th centuries are regarded as ‘ancient’, and are likely to have but plays a vital role for become ‘species-rich’. In Northern England and upland Wales, a hedgerow hedgerow wildlife, says containing four species of woody shrub in a 30m stretch is considered species-rich; David Chapman in the rest of England and Wales five different varieties are needed. During the second half of the 20th century we lost a huge amount of this important habitat – in 1945 there were approximately 500,000 miles of hedges in Britain but by 1990 there were just 107,000 miles left. Most of them were ripped out to make fields bigger, improving agricultural output but removing a vital wildlife environment. Hedgerows are now better protected but are often still neglected. Many now feature tall, straggly trees and large gaps. The tendency is to fill the gaps with fences which are much easier to maintain but are of little value to wildlife. Two trees – blackthorn and hawthorn – are strongly associated with hedgerows. Blackthorn comes into flower during thrown back down by be on the safe side they spin protective Above: lackey moth April and, as its blossom grows before its the enchantress and webs around themselves and surrounding caterpillars bask foliage, it appears smothered in white at landed on a blackthorn which foliage. When the weather is overcast the on top of their silken safety-net this time of year. The hawthorn, however, blinded him. caterpillars hide in the web to feed but produces its leaves and flowers In whatever light we hold the tree, they can be seen basking on the surface Left: a straw- simultaneously during May. there can be no denying its importance to during sunny spells. Blackthorn bushes coloured female The blackthorn’s name hints at negative wildlife. For example, during April and can be covered in these tent-shaped webs lackey moth associations; it might not be a big tree but May I always find the caterpillars of at this time of year. it is impenetrable and its spines are long, lackey moths on our local blackthorns. When lackey moth caterpillars reach rigid and vicious. They emerge from eggs laid in bands full size (about 45mm long), they disperse It is said that witches carried black around the branches of a variety of to find a site in which to pupate. In July or rods of blackthorn and that their thorns deciduous trees including hawthorn, August, adult moths take to the wing. were used to prick wax effigies. willow, oak, apple and plum, but A relatively plain, straw colour, they are Apparently, blackthorn branches were blackthorn is very popular. more difficult to spot than their traditionally thrown onto the fire when Strong colouring indicates that these caterpillars, their only adornment being witches were burned. caterpillars are not good to eat, so two faint parallel lines across their There are also positive traditions generally birds leave them alone. But to forewings. n associated with burning blackthorn; globes and crowns made from its branches were once set alight to bless such things as apple trees and even arable fields. WATCH OUT: GREATER STITCHWORT The fierce qualities of the blackthorn One of the flowers which can be found growing have been exemplified in many fairy around the base of a good, species-rich hedgerow in tales. In Sleeping Beauty, it was an April is the greater stitchwort. Blooming from March impenetrable blackthorn hedge that to May, each flower has five, deeply cut, veined petals sprang up to protect her in the castle. and distinctive yellow stamens. The greater The story of Rapunzel saw the heroine stitchwort was once used to cure a ‘stitch’ in the Blackthorn blossom stomach but, according to folklore, picking its flowers appears before its entombed at the top of a tower by a risked starting a thunder storm, being carried away leaves so that the tree is witch; when a suitor climbed the tower, by pixies or being bitten by an adder! smothered in white flowers using Rapunzel’s hair as a rope, he was 30 The Caravan Club Magazine April 2011 The Caravan Club Magazine 31.
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