Preparing for Planting

The bitter east wind on Thursday did not deter our valiant volunteers as we marked out the positions for our first phase of planting - 900 hazels for coppicing with a few Field Maple, Alder and Rowan

From a distance it looks like we have a plague of moles but we mark out by digging out a square of turf

( screefing off in Yorkshire )

After all the rain this year conditions are quite difficult and the holes soon fill with water

Hoping for better weather for the planting days Feb 21/22 and Feb 28/ March 1

Meanwhile we have taken delivery of an enormous number of tree stakes and canes

We will be using biodegradable Tree Shelters made from British woodchip and wood resin. This newer type should last longer than earlier versions which tended to degrade too soon