Working neglected woodland

[wrsni]

This was taken almost exactly two tears ago at the very start of things. Just a quick snap on a very old mobile phone but glad now I took it despite the poor quality!

[sandspider]

So what does it look like now?

[wrsni]

This was around May time the same year, it's first spring. Not in the same part of it and looking roughly the opposite direction.

[wrsni]

..........and finally, this past autumn. This is pretty much the same area as the last photo but in the opposite direction, so the same trees.

[sandspider]

Thank you. Interesting to see - quite a leisurely growth, but you can see progress. Did you keep the young trees weeded / watered / mulched for the first year or two, or just leave them to it? I assume you didn't use tree shelters? Do you happen to know what sort of percentage survived from the first planting?

 

Useful for my future plans!

[wrsni]

Thank you. Interesting to see - quite a leisurely growth, but you can see progress. Did you keep the young trees weeded / watered / mulched for the first year or two, or just leave them to it? I assume you didn't use tree shelters? Do you happen to know what sort of percentage survived from the first planting?

 

Well there was just short of 6000 in it in total so weeding/watering/mulching wasn't an option. I fenced the entire perimeter with rabbit wire as that was more cost effective than individual shelters.

 

Survival rate?, can't be totally sure. Certainly well in excess of ninety percent as I bought about two hundred replacements for "beating up" last year and ended up having to plant the last of them between rows as I couldn't find spaces. It was a helluva job digging holes for each and every tree but I've been told that's what's saved the day given that the two growing seasons they've had have been some of the driest over here for quite a while.

 

Within that mortality, probably half of the casualties were birch. They were easily the largest of all the things supplied to me, some probably 5ft, don't know if that's relevant or not. Others with more experience could probably comment accordingly.

 

Regarding growth, I'm quite happy. I was always told that it would probably be year three before they'd really start to shift anyway so given that their two years have been so dry and warm as long as they've survived at all I'll take that. Also quite a high percentage of oak within it which will never be fast!

[sandspider]

Interesting. Thanks again.

[spandit]

I'm looking forward to mine coming back into leaf again this Spring. I'd be concerned with vole/deer damage without tubes and I suspect the microclimate they generate is why some of mine are over 6' high after one growing season. I have so many self seeded birch I didn't knowingly plant any, although some of the whips I was supplied with have grown into birch trees

 

I'll post more pictures of mine later in the year. Got about 65 to replace and hoping to use chestnut, wild pear and robinia

[AHPP]

I like your blog, spandit.

[spandit]

I like your blog, spandit.

 

Thank you! I've been nagged to update it and promise I will do soon...