Summer
The bright colours of spring eventually give way to warmer temperatures and the softer hues of summer greens and a peaceful leafiness seems to descend upon the arboretum creating a wonderful atmosphere for relaxing, particularly in hot weather when the green leafy walks and secluded clearings provide cool refreshment from the sun.
However, although the overall impression may be one of an ocean of green, for those that hunt amongst the foliage, the summer does offer some rewarding flowering highlights.
As with all things in nature, just as one thing stops so another starts and this is certainly true of the trees at Eastwoodhill. In late summer two trees which come into flower are the Horse Chestnut tree with its large white and yellow flowers and palmate foliage and the Evergreen Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora.
But perhaps the most impressive in terms of sheer number of flowers are the lime trees. For though not spectacular in themselves they are so numerous at this time that the air is often heavy with their scent, while the hum of bees gathering nectar can be heard from some distance. To get the full effect of this it is worth visiting on a warm still day.
Summer Photos
Click to see larger image.
