Thursday 20 September 2012

Lone Pine Ridge

A windswept ridge runs southeast from Meall nam Fiasgan, above Fascadale, towards the heights of Cathair Mhic Dhiarmaid.  This picture was taken on it, looking across the valley of Allt Fascadale towards the summit of Meall nan Con.  A lone pine stands on this ridge.

Despite it's exposed position, it looks in good health, yet it's very unusual.  WE don't normally find trees growing on these high areas, though in sheltered pockets they may be scrubby willows or even a birch or two.  One wonders how the pine got there.  Was its seed blown, or did someone plant it and, if so, why?

Alone, it's an abject of curiosity, but the wild, open hills would be ruined if there were more.  Trees cut out the sunlight and the view.  Trees, particularly pine, alter the ground cover.  Trees create silent, dark places. Trees, on the high beautiful places like this, are completely out of place.

1 comment:

  1. There's lots of evidence that there used to be many more wooded areas, before sheep and deer stopped all those wretched trees from growing ... native species look OK! And increase biodiversity, and fertility of ecosystems. It's the plantations of imported species that are not good.

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