24/5 planting update

 24/5 Planting Update.

The area next to the willow coppice. which was predominately 3/4 rows of ash and 1/2 rows of Italian Alder and Hornbeam, was pollard felled in autumn 2025 has been replanted. 200 Oaks and about 85 hornbeam have been planted including an alternating streamside row which almost goes as far as the end of the plot opposite the dyke to the Old North Road. Photo is of pollarded Ash at Weston end of area, when first cut in the late summer 2024. This area planted in the autumn has been badly affected by voles eating through the base of the oak saplings. There will need to be beaten up.

65 Western Red Cedar have been planted at the digester end up to where the Elms are. This area contains previous attempts to beat up with WRC and Douglas some of which survive. the large trees have been pollarded or felled there remain a few ash and smaller Eucs. the remaining 35 WRC have been potted on and should be planted in the autumn either here or amongst the sycamores in Pit Wood. There have been significant losses to the spring drought. So more beat up required.

Planted Oaks May 19th 2025 before any rain
Missing trees due to voles.

Another 100 Oaks to arrived in Feb25 and were planted by the end of the month. I am digging a hole prior to tree planting and leaving the clod to the frost. The clods are much more friable when weathered and very much better than when I first planted the field in 2009. I then add a trowelful of compost/charcoal mixture before driving the trenching spade in as far as possible twice at right angles hopefully to give the roots somewhere to go.  

Almost all the viminalis I Autumn planted have died after Dec frost. They were planted at the gates in the Barrier. I replaced 12 by gate 3 late  April, with ones that did not get planted in the autumn. The problem for them and the other trees planted is that march and April have been totally dry for all intents and purposes. The 15 hornbeam not planted have been planted in the poplar/alder area. April and autumn plantings got 2 splash watering by May which was dry until about the 24th. Things have freshened up since and forecast variable. (27th may). About 50 oaks have been Voled some hornbeam lost to drought.

20th May pollard regrowth at Weston end.