Once again, it’s time for MrsT’s quizzes to branch out and spread their roots, and this round... you’ve guessed it, its trees! They help regulate our climate and provide food and shelter for a whole host of animals as well as providing us with a variety of resources, we might otherwise take for granted. Let’s face it, what wood (pun intended) the world be without trees? They come in all shapes and sizes, as do the leaves and fruit that they bare and yes, I was one of those kids who loved the school trip to Westonbirt Arboretum. For the next 12 weeks, I will leaf you with a clue or two about trees for you to mulch over.EnjoyMYSTERY TREE QUIZ #2Clue: An air-raid shelter brew.
Tea tree?
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
First thing I thought of Clare but seems a bit obvious maybe, but a good opener
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Northern rata (Metrosideros robusta)?
I am not sure if only British species count, so I ask everyone posting ideas here: Tell me if it is so. Anyway: The idea, that I had, is a tree from New Zealand, the northern rata. The Latin name is Metrosideros robusta. The underground railways in many parts of Europe are called "Metro", and the tunnels were often used a air raid shelters during the war. And "robusta" is also a type of coffee. And "to brew" does not only mean "to make beer" , but to make a beverage with hot water, for example tea or coffee. I may be completely wrong with this, but maybe it helps someone get a better idea.
Yours, Bente
That's most ingenious, Bente, a good bit of lateral thinking.
With previous quizzes, MrsT has always used British species but I don't know in this case. Perhaps you could clarify please, MrsT.
As you said, Bente, underground tunnels were used as air-raid shelters. There were also air-raid shelters called Anderson shelters and Morrison shelters which were for home/personal use. I can't relate them to any type of tree though.
Sometimes crossword compilers will use a word like "brew" as a device to imply an anagram. I've not been able come up with anything from the clue. Perhaps someone else can.
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Tony
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Sounds pretty good to me, Bente.
For simplicity, just British species.
guessing one of the pine tree
Tea is made from the needles
was this tea made during the war when rationing was in force
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
There is a tea-leaved Willow, but not sure where the air-raid shelter came in, unless they used the branches to hide them?
Otherwise GINko tree, but that's not British & maybe not many people drank Gin in the air-raid shelters!
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
Following on that general line of thought, acorns were used to make a so called ersatz coffee in wartime. Not sure if it was ever used in air-raid shelters though; more likely in POW camps perhaps. So for the moment my guess is the Oak (Quercus robur) but I don't think it's right.
Another tack. Cellars were air-raid shelters & beer is brewed & kept in cellars, so that gives you ALE. I thought about Maple & maybe the Mp comes from the Military police who checked out the shelters. Hum, bit tenuous.