Frustratingly, as I am neither a University academic or student I can’t access scientific publications easily and can just read tantalising summary paragraphs online. In the British Isles, summer is usually considered as the months of June to August. Therefore, the proverb suggests that if ash trees start budding earlier than oak trees, it could be a difficult season due to excessive rainfall and cold temperatures. Whereas if oak flowers emerge first, it could mean it’s going to be a warm and sunny season. One person accompanies him through much of the book. On August 15th he mentions that Beth Ferendene is building stone walls and laying reclaimed floorboards for him. A friendship develops which becomes an unspecified relationship. She too is vulnerable and a mutual dependence develops which can be both supportive and destructive. They are, in a sense, too well matched and “there’s nothing either of us can do for each other”. The vaguely announced hurt of their different pasts overwhelms their lives in the present.

Low-key and understated, this beautiful book ... is a civilised and melancholy document that slowly progresses towards a sense of enduring, going onwards, and even new life. It feels like a healing experience.’ The ash readily self-seeds in newly cleared areas – it is known as a “pioneer species” along with sycamore and birch. As such, there is no conclusion to the book, we don't know whether the unnamed narrator stays where he is, manages to carry on with life or not. But it doesn't matter. Some of the descriptions of the natural world, his battle with the moles that are digging up his lawn, the attempt to create a butterfly meadow are lovely. Some of his references to the art world were completely lost on me, and the description of his trip to see family in New Zealand was just a bit too long.

Collecting the folklore and uses of plants

So why does this matter? The problem is that ash and oak often compete for resources. Whichever trees leaf first tends to win the battle for canopy space, and ash trees are increasingly losing out. This will have a significant impact on the biodiversity of our woodlands. If the rooster crows on going to bed, you may rise with a watery head." This refers to birds’ ability to sense a decrease in air pressure and becomes more restless as the storm approaches. A restless rooster will crow more. A photoreceptor molecule in plant cells has been found to have a second job as a thermometer after dark – allowing plants to read seasonal temperature changes. Scientists say the discovery could help breed crops that are more resilient to the temperatures expected to result from climate change.

Young girls in Northern Counties eagerly awaited the first blossom and the girl who found it would break it and leave it hanging. That night she would dream of her future husband. If she found it again she would keep it as a charm until her husband appeared. RowanComplex, thought-provoking and pertinent... A clever, partial book, written in a fluent, comfortable narrative style.’ Inside Croydon works together with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, as well as BBC London News and ITV London Oak before ash, we’re in for a splash. Ash before oak, we’re in for a soak.” This refers to the time of year that the leaves come out and is a forecast for the future season’s weather. This year we are in for a splash with oaks already coming out, however, to disappoint you, the oak is almost always first with its leaves There seem, in practice, a number of other regional variations (most commonly neither of the above but rather: Ash before Oak - we're in for a soak, Oak before Ash - we're in for a splash) largely it seems based on what rhymes or scans best than any scientific factor as observations suggest the relatively leafing of ash and oak has little predictive power for the weather for the rest of the year. However, what it does indicate quite clearly is the weather at that time, and hence a marker for climate change ( https://www.field-studies-council.org... and https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/natureuk/...).