Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow

2020 has arrived and what a start it has been. We arrived back after our Holidays and restful time off to a large-scale project that we had been planning for the last few months. Materials and plant stock for the policy tree planting. We carried out policy tree planting in previous years which was on a slightly smaller scale, so this year we have a bigger team who are working very hard to get all the trees and hedging underplanting into the roundels. The team is making great progress while battling the muddy, wet conditions and high winds but still smiling through it all.

The team have been planting a diverse range of hedging plants including Holly, Dogwood, Guelder Rose, Wild Privet, Buckthorn, Hawthorn and Elderberry. We have also planted hazels and crab apples within the roundel planting but also in the new hedgerows. The tree species include Oak, Elm, Limes, Walnut, Hazel, Horse Chestnut, Birch, Scots Pines, Poplar, Beech, Cherry and Alder. The hedge plants have been a mix of 40-60cm for the formal hedge planting and 60-80 for the other plantings of both hedging and trees. We have changed our planting technique due to the ground conditions and have hired a small post hole borer which is making fast work of producing good large planting holes for the roots to feel at home in. It is very special to be able to be involved in helping to change the landscape for future generations to enjoy and the results already change the landscape and we cannot wait to see these areas develop and grow in the years to come.

We also have various task to carry out on the previous year tree planting, replacing planting that sadly did not take which thankfully is very few and adding where needed. We will be also planting some lovely varieties of apples in the East Lodge garden to add interest. These will be year 2 maidens on mm106 root-stock and will be maintained at ground picking height in the coming years.

Well it is time to head back out now and continue drilling and planting so until next time stay warm and begin planning for those dry day gardening jobs, things are beginning to say hello already. It is an exciting time of year, there is so much to look forward to even if it is hard to remember that whilst putting on those already wet hat and gloves.