'Widdies' - Fossilized wood from deep peat

Peat is composed of decayed organic matter, largely derived from plants. This example, from another Scottish Island, shows peat and and the remains of fossil trees.

A fairly common sight in the peat moors of Shetland are these remains of ancient trees preserved in deep peat, they are mainly of Birch & Hazel. Fossilized Hazelnuts have been found it Yell.
In recent years pollen analysis from about 30 sites in Shetland have produced some interesting results, showing that the disappearance of woodland in Shetland probably pre-dates human activity.

Today, Shetland crofting, farming & wildlife advisory groups encourage people to plant trees in certain suitable sites using really hardy varieties such as Willow, Alder & White beam. To date no spectacular results have been achieved

SCRAN 000-000-193-203-C; Old Haa Trust