WFV, Ilkley Cemetery Tree Trail, 14.10.25

After sharing cars or using local trains eleven members met at Ilkley Cemetery. The
cemetery provided an opportunity to study thirty-seven different tree species
including conifers and evergreens planted for the opening in 1878. We planned to
follow the hour long excellent trail guide produced by Sue and Neil Stevens which
led to the best example of each tree.
The deciduous trees provided good revision material particularly for closely related
species. Acer and lime fruits collected by Stuart helped here. Sue provided the good
news that ash trees are now building immunity against the die back disease. The two
magnificent fern-leaved beech trees clearly showed the disparity in leaf shape. Was
it imagination or were the fern-leaved leaves remaining attached to the branches
greener than the normal shaped leaves and had more normal than fern leaved ones
been shed? A Kashmir rowan planted as a memorial tree was new to most of us.
We learned more from the evergreens. The large examples of both the common and
Irish yew trees showed clearly the disparity in height, growth pattern and foliage.
Red aril fruits were in abundance on both species. Identifying the conifers proved
more difficult. Careful observation including hand lens usage eventually led to
confident naming of Lawson’s, Nootka, Monterey Cypresses and Western red cedar.
Angela, who had now joined us, had pleasure in using her new lens. We accepted
that the large old pine without cones was Bishop’s pine. Marje told us of the
homeopathic use of Thuja species.
At tree number 18 we were half way along the trail and had taken twice the time
suggested for the whole walk. We broke for lunch. The second half was completed
after lunch and we left the cemetery four hours after arrival. It was not botanical
walking pace which slowed us today. Our observational skill led to side-tracks which
enhanced our rewards but delayed our progress. The autumnal emergence of fungal
fruiting structures was in excess of expectation and time was needed for
identification, while the variety of tombstone architecture and the inscriptions led to
stoppages and thoughtful moments.
Thanks to John we can record having seen a collection of fungi from many different
groups. These included clouded funnels, stinking dapperling, common, pleated and
shaggy inkcaps, gallerinas, enterlomas, mycenas, clustered brittlestem, wood
blewit, two different honey fungi and four shining examples of waxcaps.
I have expressed our thanks to the Stevens – without their tree trail we would not
have known of this site of plenty almost on our doorstep. That everyday new things
are there to be seen was proved again today. In consequence I left with questions to
answer. I hope that others enjoyed the visit.
Alice

Leader; Alice Gingell