Tree Planting November 2019

Plans were made to have a Planting morning with Coffee and Cakes, 200 Saplings were supplied by the Woodland Trust.

The morning was bright with clear blue skies and frost on the ground, as people arrived the frost melted away and the ground after recent rain became perfect for planting. The autumn colours were brilliant, how lucky we were after so many grey days.

Our object was to continue planting the hedge on the boundary of Parklands Wood and the Avenue. During the previous week the work group had prepared the area by removing dead Hawthorn trees and the enveloping Brambles and Ivy. We were given several suitable varieties Hawthorn, Crab Apple, Hazel, Dog Rose, Field Maple and Dogwood. Also 3 Wild Cherry and 5 Hawthorn that we planted in triangle of land at the top of the Avenue.

We were delighted the work group was joined by several partners and new participants, in all 20 adults made a very effective  planting and clearing team.  Local children and pupils from Eyke School joined us and enjoyed a Scavenger Hunt for different sorts of leaves, feathers, moss, stones and noted the presence of squirrels, bat boxes, acorns and many other items. They also planted trees and enjoyed getting messy hands and afterwards very much enjoyed the hot chocolate with marshmallows and sampled several types of cakes and biscuits. The adults also enjoyed the refreshments and a chat after a pleasant and very effective morning in the woods, it was a  memorable morning, thanks to all who attended.

We have been promised  another 150 more saplings for autumn planting in 2020 and trust that we will be able to finish the hedge planting along the Avenue. We hope to repeat the success of last year’s planting morning and are also to learn about your experiences in the woods, as you exercised during the “lock down” period.