Bel's Wood

This time last year we were experiencing drought conditions and the beck was at a standstill. I delayed planting for a year to try and get on top of the bracken. I’m not completely convinced that that worked but it means the trees went in the ground this January and there has been rain most days since then. Even on sunny days we have had a splash of rain overnight and everything has been growing well including the saplings. May 2024 and this dipper is loving the flowing water I am beginning to learn the 13 new species of trees planted. I am also learning the differences between species as to how quickly they grow and when they start.  The first away were the Spindle. These appeared above the tree guards rapidly and are easy to spot as they are planted in narrow bands along the butterfly rides and a few paths to give a bush sized plant before the big trees start.    Spindle April ‘24 Spindle June ’24 all above the tree guards and now in the sunshine  as the bracken ha...

Over 4,000 trees were put in the ground in January 2024 and Project Mulch Mat commenced in February. Friends pitched in and slowly but surely each tree got it’s mat. I had researched the value of this large task and was convinced that it would help with weed supression (grass and bracken to some extent), water retention (not yet an issue but if we get a dry June like last year they would help), temperature moderation (again not yet an issue but we hit over 30ºc at the wood last year so shading the roots will help) and finally providing nutrients as the jute mulches down into the ground to support the tree roots. Although hard to assess the efficacy I can see that the protection from grass and bracken is working. Here is a little Scotts Pine receiving sunlight due to the mat being in place. I gave the honour of laying the last mat to my friend Mags who has helped me over the last months.  Many other friends have helped including Tina, Jacqui, Charlie, Charlotte, Michelle, Sandy, Sue...