From Field To Woodland

 One of the key reasons this project even exists, is the mitigation of climate change. Sequestering carbon in tree form is happening in the field day by day, in some small way, that should negate a bit of the impact my life has had on the planet. In 20 years time, the trees will collectively soak up many tons of carbon each year until they reach maturity. So the project should have a tiny, but real impact on climate change. I have known since the start of the project, that climate change may also have a direct impact my project. And perhaps not a tiny one. Most tree planting experts recommend ensuring at least some of your trees will cope with a warmer and less predictable climate  - to ensure all of your trees are not wiped out by a single extreme weather event. I am planting a range of species for this reason.  I hadn't expected the weather to cause so many problems so soon though. By March 2021, I was becoming increasingly concerned about the dryness of the soil in the...

  Everyone loves wildflowers and given they are "wild" I figured they were fairly hardy and reliable. I didn't have a great deal of success with the seed I threw down though. Wherever there was a patch of bare ground (as a result of Mongo's Hole or the wall repairs) , I threw down wild flower seed figuring it would get a hold before the grass overtook it.  I may have had bad seed though, as this is pretty much the extent of the results. It still made me smile every time I saw it though, it might spread I guess, lets hope so. 

  Litter is a constant problem, drink bottles thrown out of car windows land at the top quite often.  At least the one pictured had some love involved......

 I always love seeing daffodils in the middle of nowhere or at the side of a road, as it meant that at some time, somebody somewhere thought "this will be nice" and went to work. Then decades later people still smile and enjoy their work.  So, despite daffs not really being woodland plants, and not being terrifically "wild", I couldn't help myself.  Armed with a big bag of bulbs and a handful of lovely helpers, we had a busy afternoon in early January and were blessed with sunshine.  Last year we planted on the top paths, this year we managed most of the other paths. Badgers (I think) dug up several bulbs after planting, but hopefully most will survive.  I can't wait until spring - again. And hopefully every subsequent spring. And hopefully people will wonder "who planted those?" - well it was these fine people.