The Wild Woodland

64

By jackburton

The Wild Woodland

Wild woodlands are not necessarily everyone's favorite place. Sometimes it's because we shudder when we pass by them because of the old fairy tales where the dark wood represented an evil presence; Hansel and Gretel leaving the breadcrumbs as their only means of finding their way back out of the forest. And people that live in towns have a built-in fear of the unbridled and uncontrolled nature of the wild woodland.

The wild woodlands that we see by our roadsides often are impenetrable to everything but the smallest or most tenacious creatures. They have often been neglected for years and exude a dark, secretive aura. It's this intense secrecy, the veiled threat that panders to the childish fears in every one of us. It is recognized by everyone who has ever read the Wind in the Willows.

Unbridled


In her book, a Pagan place, Edna O’Brien describes the intense dark woods that she had to pass on her journey to school every morning: "the ground inside was shifty, a swamp where lilies bloomed. They were called dog-lilies. The donkey went in there to die and no wonder because the shelter was ample. No one would go in to bury it. It decomposed."

Unfortunately in modern-day Ireland, as in Britain, the "natural looking" edges of our woodlands are strewn with rubbish, garbage thrown out of cars by passing townies, big black bin liners full of god knows what, fertilizer bags, and I have even come across a dead cow that someone didn't want to go through the normal channels to dispose of.

The sad truth is that unless the forest is used for some kind of commercial gain, for timber production, or hunting game, nobody really cares. Even the government doesn’t recognize most of these places as a nature reserves.

This happens in some of our most beautiful, and most visited, tourist attractions. How many times have I seen signs pleading with visitors to take their litter home, only to find a stack of rubbish dumped out of a now-tidy-car, festering right there underneath the sign.

But these small bits of neglected forest are the only areas of potential natural woodland that we can visit most frequently, because they are on our doorsteps. They are the places we should be able to walk through with our dogs. Natural woodland is the perfect tranquility for a late afternoon stroll, to clear your head and gather your thoughts, to escape from prying eyes and walk hand-in-hand with the one you love. Their value should be more appreciated before the landowners tidy up and plant Sitka Spruce. Forestry in Ireland, like most other places on the planet, is planted for the purpose of making money. Some landowners, especially the state authority Coillte, are opening up their forest for public access. I would encourage any forest landowner to do the same.


Comments

Teresa McGurk profile image

Teresa McGurk 2 years ago

More! How about a hub on the Ash? I'm enjoying your stuff on forrestry, and I've been looking at your other hubs, too (been there, done that also).

Is there not a forrestry protection provision in Ireland? I'm from Belfast, so I think I've seen such areas in the North -- Tullymore Forest, for example. You've found a great niche here for hubs -- good on ya!

Sufidreamer profile image

Sufidreamer Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago

Great work, Jack - Ireland has some of the most beautiful forests that I have had the privilege to walk in. The attitude towards littering in Ireland is a crying shame, so good luck in raising awareness.

Now, we have to do the same with the Greeks.....

jackburton profile image

jackburton Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your comments

Submit a Comment
Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.



    • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
    • Comments are not for promoting your Hubs or other sites

    Woodland News

    • Woodland fades on Saturday, won't play Sunday - Topeka Capital Journal

      Woodland fades on Saturday, won't play Sunday Topeka Capital Journal WORTH, Texas — Topeka native Gary Woodland was somewhat in the hunt as Saturday's play began in the Crowne Plaza Inviational. At the end of play, however, Woodland found himself headed home. His 76 score included three straight bogeys on Nos. - 6 hours ago

    • Woodland's Students Enjoy Authors! Authors! - Patch.com

      Woodland's Students Enjoy Authors! Authors! Patch.com By John Patten Woodland's Young Authors Day lineup of speakers and presentations was organized by (from left) Tracy Mazure-Lefkowitz, Woodland Librarian Nancy Darby and Fay Verbel. Mimi Morris On Friday, May 18th, Woodland School held is annual Young ... - 22 hours ago

    • From rural woodland to city landscape, an exciting sale beckons - This is Somerset

      From rural woodland to city landscape, an exciting sale beckons This is Somerset Despite this, an exciting mixture of real estate is still available to purchase, ranging from rural areas of woodland to city-based mixed use investment properties. Many lots will appeal to a range of buyers, and the following is a brief run through of ... - 15 hours ago

    Forest Ireland

    Forest Ireland specializes in opening footpath access through dense, overgrown forests and woodlands.

    Spode Woodland 5 Piece Placesetting
    Amazon Price: $108.00
    List Price: $156.50
    Carter's Forest Friends Wall Decals, Tan/Choc
    Amazon Price: $13.99
    List Price: $20.50
    Seasons In Elfland: Shadows
    Amazon Price: $8.99
    Carter's Forest Friends Lamp Base And Shade, Tan/Choc, 5.5 X 12"
    Amazon Price: $36.00

    Woodland Ecology

    Please wait working