Trees in the Swaledale Landscape

Swaledale is exceptionally rich in surviving fragments of native woodland, which have hitherto been largely overlooked. These woodland fragments are rarely visited or noticed by walkers who pass them by with scarce a glance. Native woodland survives in Swaledale itself and in the tributary dales, on cliffs and in ravines, or wherever protection from ring barking by rabbits is available. These native woods and trees have been substantially enhanced by the presence of many trees chosen and planted by Land Owners and Farmers to enhance the natural landscape. This book will not be a comprehensive gazetteer of all known woodland localities or of specimen trees, this different task is in separate preparation. Rather, Jocelyn has made her own selection of the more characteristic trees which are to be seen in the Swaledale Landscape at localities representative of the limestone scars, the waterfall ravines, the becks, riverbanks and the dale-sides.