It has been all go up on the meadow this week. On Monday, March 4th,Janek Dzikowski and his team from JD Gardening arrived to plant the first batch of trees, supervised by Jules Baird of Barcham Trees. There was lots of measurement going on, trees have been carefully laid out in line with Jules’ masterplan – no straight lines. Everything to be as random as possible to achieve a natural effect. We are not aiming at Capability Brown!
Janek has worked with Barcham for more than 20 years and they are a very professional combination – as well as being cheerful and enthusiastic, which is a bonus. The trees have had topsoil, mixed with fertilizer applied, and firmly secured with three stakes. Rabbit guards and extra protection from deer is in place, and a top mulch has been added. As a final touch, hydration bags have been put in place to help the trees through the first summer. Not that they need much water at the moment!
The copse in the south west corner has been thinned out by the removal of 15 trees, mainly oak, horse chestnut and rowan, and these have been transplanted to the north east area of the field.
Further maintenance work has been carried out by local gardeners, Sam Pishorn and his team, to cut back some of the brambles on the western boundary, to allow the trees there, which we planted about 10 years ago, space to spread out. Creating a few gaps will also have the added advantage of creating a more varied habitat.
The memorial plaques for the first 25 trees have been put in place by Robert Goddard.
All the major work has now been done. Time, patience and some good growing weather is all we need now!
To cap things off a pair of kestrels have been prospecting the nest box put up a few months ago by Simon Dudhill of the Hawk & Owl Trust in Sculthorpe.
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