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Great oaks from little acorns grow
There is a nationwide push to plant more trees and Parishes and Community groups around the country have been actively doing so. Locally, the Yealm Estuary to Moor (YEM) Wildlife Corridor Project is helping to create more natural spaces along the river catchment including planting trees.
However, there is a shortage of tree seedlings and whips so communities are being encouraged to grow their own trees!
It starts with a seed. We are therefore asking for help with collecting tree seed (eg fruit, nuts and bracts). Gathering seeds with family, friends or colleagues is a great way to spend time outdoors and can make a difference. October is a good time to collect seed from Blackthorn, crab apple, alder and oak.
Growing a tree seedling is something that everybody can do. Whilst YEM is happy to take any native tree seeds/berries you collect you may want to grow tree seedlings yourself. Seeds, such as acorns can be planted immediately into trays or troughs using a mix of compost and vermiculite and keep outside protected from frost and direct sun (and protect from birds and mice). Water as necessary.
YEM can then take your collected seeds or seedlings and grow them on until they are large enough to be planted out.
We have produced 2 simple guides to collecting seeds and growing seedlings with lots of useful links to further information. So please do contact us for more information on the YEM Project at Info@yemcorridor.com or see our website guidance on collecting and growing tree seeds http://www.yemcorridor.com/index.php/articles/help-grow-trees
Invest in the future : three good things to do with trees
Tackling the rising levels of carbon dioxide was discussed at length at the world conference on Climate Change during COP26. Indeed, the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that we will need to employ man-made technology for carbon dioxide capture to meet the necessary targets – but that technology is still someway off. However, nature has provided us with a technology that is driven by energy from sunlight and sucks up carbon dioxide from our atmosphere – trees!
Not only do trees provide us with this technology but they also provide a habitat for many insects and birds and can give us a feeling of well being. So what’s not to like? Well, they must of course be planted in the right place at the right time.
Get involved today!
1 Plant a tree in your garden?
If you have a garden or outside space then plant a tree (or plant another tree). Pot grown trees can be planted throughout the year – just don’t forget to water them well!
Here are 8 attractive trees for gardens that are also a great draw for wildlife:
-Silver birch (Betula pendula), the native hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), crab apple (Malus), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), hazel (Corylus), Cotoneaster cornubia, Holly (Ilex), Buddleja (butterfly bush).
2 Help to plant trees around our Parish?
The Climate Emergency and Biodiversity Committee of Newton and Noss Parish Council has already planted over 300 trees in our Parish. Most were planted at Butts Park, but Bridgend and Noss Mayo has also received a good proportion of new plantings. This is great news but it could be better. Do you have any suggestions for areas that further trees could planted? Do you want to see more see more trees that support birds, bees and blossom? Are you in support of further planting at Butts Park?
3 We are doing our bit!
Planting trees is a country-wide activity and because the benefits of trees are being embraced and enjoyed there is now a shortage of young tree material. Both tree seeds and young saplings are in short supply. In response to this shortage communities are being encouraged to ‘grow their own’ trees and our Parish is actively planning to have two ‘micro tree nurseries’. This will involve planting seeds and seedlings so please look around your own garden. Are there young trees germinating that are about to be pulled up and composted? Don’t waste this natural resource, but gently ease them out and pop them into a flower pot to grow on. All unwanted seedlings gratefully received as these will work their magic on the environment in the years to come.
For more information contact Paul Hardy, Lead for Climate Change and Biodiversity Committee, N&N Parish Council