G5. Proceed down Langfords Way to the first junction and then turn right into Beech Grove.
White squirrels are often seen around the junction of Langfords Way and Beech Grove. Look for a flash of white high in the branches further down Langfords Way. Also at this corner look for Hawthorn with narrow scraggy trunks with flaky bark and thorny stiff twigs with alternate brown buds. This is one of the first bushes to come into leaf. You may spot signs of green as early as February.
The area to the right of Beech Grove was planted as part of the Council regeneration programme. 250 Hazels and 400 Oaks were planted here in 2010. Deer fencing and tubes protect the young trees from deer browsing. Hazel is the main tree in the understory here - look for catkins in spring and cob nuts (often squirrel chewed) in autumn. The long catkins are the male flowers. The tiny, red, female flowers appearing in February are difficult to spot. They protrude from the buds before the male catkins on the same bush are ripe to facilitate cross-fertilisation.
A fallen tree on the left has “seats’ cut out of it. There is also much bracken along this stretch.
At the next T-junction turn right along Noakes Way. Look for fungi and mosses on the stumps.