Setting

Characteristics

The locale is the Yorkshire moors in northern England. A moor is tract of mostly treeless wasteland where heather thrives and water saturates the earth. The moors are one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the United Kingdom. It covers an area of 1,436 km2, and it has a population of about 25,000. The North York Moors became a National Park in 1952, through the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949.

Climate

Generally have warm summers and relatively mild winters. Weather conditions vary from day to day as well as from season to season. The latitude of the area means that it is influenced by predominantly westerly winds with depressions and their associated fronts, bringing with them unsettled and windy weather, particularly in winter. Between depressions there are often small mobile anticyclones that bring periods of fine .

In winter anticyclones bring cold dry weather. In summer the anticyclones tend to bring dry settled conditions which can lead to drought. Late, chilly springs and warm summers are a feature of the area but there are often spells of fine autumn weather. Snowfall is variable from year to year, but the area gets much more snow on average than other parts of the country. Heavy falls are associated with north-easterly winds off the North Sea. Roads over the high moors are notoriously prone to drifting snow due to the exposed nature of the terrain.

Vegetation - hedge and tree maintenance

The hedges and trees grow on the edge of the road, often to mark the boundary with private property. . Trees are important to the visual appearance of an area and nature conservation, but should be preserved and protected whenever possible. The pruning or felling of trees can be subject to significant local concern, and should only be done with expert advice and support.