Monday, 20 February 2012

Over 1000 trees planted in one day

Around 35 volunteers planted over 1000 trees on a windswept Saturday in Blackshaw Head. Starting with a couple of hours of rain, then several hours of sunshire and ending with snow the spirits were high whatever was thrown at them. The event was organised by Blackshaw Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Treesponsibility.

The trees were planted as 10 metre wide windbreaks for a community orchard. An area were planted for coppicing (wood for burning). The fruit trees are to be grafted on Saturday 25th February at the Chapel in Blackshaw Head.

Next to the community orchard is a large area allocated for future allotments. A second community orchard is also planned at Blackshaw Head.

The trees for the windbreaks and the coppicing for the two sites were paid for by the Big Tree Plant and the Woodland Trust.

The fruit trees will be placed in a nursery for two years while the windbreaks grow high and wide enough. It will take five years for the fruit trees to have apples on. We will also have fruit bushes, plum trees, etc.