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Environmental Issues By Alan J Hartley |
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New Types Of |
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Perhaps even
more adventurous is their recent announcement, in local press, that they
are to begin planting 4,700 Eucalyptus trees in an area near to Rugeley
as an experimental, harvestable crop to sell as fuel timber for burning
instead of traditional fuels. With a small Bio Mass power station not
many miles away that is currently experimenting with Elephant Grass and
many more old fashioned coal fired power stations in nearby towns, the
project may gain much attention. It has been stated that the Eucalyptus
will grow 4 times as fast as the |
More Gardening
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Unusual
& Old
Unusual
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Last
year, Cannock
Chase, which is perhaps not as well known outside the Midlands as the
famous Nottingham forest, decided that certain species of trees are
becoming less suitable to grow in our changing climate. The great
English Oak tree, that was the traditional source of construction timber
for centuries, is now struggling to grow in certain soils that may be
less than ideal, whereas in the past stray acorns would germinate and
grow well, anywhere. So, the forestry commission decided to start planting
the Mediterranean Cork Oaks. If successful the project may lead to whole
new industries, that have not been seen in the UK before, built around
the harvesting of cork from the trunks of the trees.
traditional Conifers that the Chase has always been known for. The
warmer Summers and milder Winters of recent years are proving less
favourable for growing the conifers that prefer cooler, damper
conditions. Another possible reason for the forestry comminsion looking
for an alternative crop to conifers, is that the Chase was always known
for growing the timber for the tens of thousands of pit props needed
every year to satiate the needs of the old Midlands coal industry. Now
that local coal mining has all but gone, there is little need for the
straight, pit prop type of timber that the conifers provided.