It isn't all going to work is it....

Our first planting back in march (see here) was willow. Myself and Daisy, eager to plant something, cut willow stakes , thanks to a local friendly farmer and filled some of the boggy area with the stems. 

We knew it was really rather late in the year to be doing this and that they might not take. Sadly we were correct. All but one look to have died. 


All of the bark on the "dead" ones has turned red. I hadn't noticed this as it has happened slowly but today I noticed , one still had green bark and now has green leaves. Clearly the red colour was a bad sign. Snapping the red twigs doesn't reassure me either, they look a bit lifeless. 

So, it is a learning process and we will leave the red ones in the ground just in case. If nothing happens in spring, they are easily replaced at that time. 

But, the green leaves are definitely cause for celebration. 
Those little shoots of life represent our first new growth and the beginnings of a woodland! A small victory, but a victory. We are on our way...

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