Woodland Hierarchy - Explored!
The large tree mid-right above is clearly dominating its surroundings - just look at the spread of its branches. The dominance is reflected by the distance from its trunk to the younger trees on the left and in the background. Note that there appears to be no significant understorey plants amidst the leaf litter suggesting that the leaf cover from the trees blocks out most of the available sunlight at ground level.
This scene was in the north-western corner of Trent Park, in Enfield, north London, as I approached Camlet Moat.
That name has been abbreviated over the years from "Camelot", and it first appeared in local records in 1440. The moat is protected under the Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979. A survey of the area conducted between 1656 and 1658 attributes the site as the seat of habitation of Geoffrey de Mandeville during the reign of William the Conqueror. A 2019 report states that the "earliest documented reference to this site comes from the 14th century. There is also a documented fact that in May 1439 instructions were given to demolish the 'Manor of Camelot', suggesting there was a building on the site". Another source indicates that a lodge located here was demolished in 1429 and the materials sold to help pay for repairs to Hertford Castle.
Sir Philip Sassoon conducted excavations in the 1920s and was reported to have found oak beams which formed the basis of a drawbridge, Roman shoes and daggers as well as mosaic tiles depicting a knight. The walls and foundations of a large stone building were also found. English Heritage refilled the excavations in 1999. The Historic England website states that the moat area was said to be a haunt of Dick Turpin in the 1700s.
Woodland Hierarchy - Explored!
The large tree mid-right above is clearly dominating its surroundings - just look at the spread of its branches. The dominance is reflected by the distance from its trunk to the younger trees on the left and in the background. Note that there appears to be no significant understorey plants amidst the leaf litter suggesting that the leaf cover from the trees blocks out most of the available sunlight at ground level.
This scene was in the north-western corner of Trent Park, in Enfield, north London, as I approached Camlet Moat.
That name has been abbreviated over the years from "Camelot", and it first appeared in local records in 1440. The moat is protected under the Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979. A survey of the area conducted between 1656 and 1658 attributes the site as the seat of habitation of Geoffrey de Mandeville during the reign of William the Conqueror. A 2019 report states that the "earliest documented reference to this site comes from the 14th century. There is also a documented fact that in May 1439 instructions were given to demolish the 'Manor of Camelot', suggesting there was a building on the site". Another source indicates that a lodge located here was demolished in 1429 and the materials sold to help pay for repairs to Hertford Castle.
Sir Philip Sassoon conducted excavations in the 1920s and was reported to have found oak beams which formed the basis of a drawbridge, Roman shoes and daggers as well as mosaic tiles depicting a knight. The walls and foundations of a large stone building were also found. English Heritage refilled the excavations in 1999. The Historic England website states that the moat area was said to be a haunt of Dick Turpin in the 1700s.