Beautiful morning at Merrydale

A young Birch, a young Rowan, and a pile of old guards.

Lots of people are on holiday, it being August, so it was just Geoff and myself this morning. But it was a lovely morning, and we went up to Merrydale and removed more stakes and guards. We brought back about 100 stakes at the end, which saves us around £25.  I also collected a similar number of used cable ties, I am not quite sure what I am going to do with those, but at least they aren't just left on site. We had tons of cake, cherry muffins. But we only ate two each, and I brought the rest home. After a pint of Elland brewery Bargee at the Sair.

The Green Man Trail, and formative pruning

Philip, Geoff and Guy relax before the rain.

Philip and Guy have been trying to establish this weekend as an annual event and walk. The Green man trail is a proposed walk route that takes you up to the top of Pasture Wood above Marsden. It gives a brilliant view of the head of the Colne Valley. At least, it does on a day which isn't beset by low cloud and rain, in August! The weather was shockingly bad. It should have been a lovely celebratory moment, when we could look around the valley and see thousands of trees which the society has planted over the years. But we did our best in adverse circumstances, we had cake, and shared a bottle of wine. Later on, Philip, Guy and I walked down to Netherwood, and did a bit of light formative pruning there, before ending the evening in more relaxed and social manner. Beer, obviously.

Philip formatively prunes a tree.

Merrydale and Scouts

Heidi and Lisa standing proudly next to their pile of collected guards, and looking wet.

In his capacity as a Scout Leader Duncan took a group of Scouts up Merrydale and got them to take off stakes and guards from the grown trees. Heidi and Lisa turned out to help. Philip was away bracken bashing at High Wood. By all accounts it was a wet, wet Thursday evening.

Merrydale - Lord of the flies

See the flies on Simon's hat, see Geoff, fly-less. Why?

So, this morning we were up Merrydale, a lovely little valley that runs away to the west north west of Slaithwaite. The site has some semi-ancient natural woodland, and this was supplemented with new planting some years ago. We were back there today to remove guards and retrieve stakes for re-use. Problem was, flies! Flies, flies damn flies. You can see them all over my hat in the pic. Other than that it was delightful up there. And the bilberry bushes are weighed down with big juicy fruit too, so lots of jam this year. We gathered 175 stakes for re-use, saving us £70 or £80. We also took a similar number of the old guards off site. Apricot and walnut cake today. Very good.

Duncan, Neil and Heidi, emerging from the new growth.                                                                                                  Heidi handing round the cake

The Annual General Meeting

As usual this took place at the Sair. 2 hours of heated debate about health and safety and working with children and young people policies. Had to be done. I recorded the whole thing on my MP3 player, so if anyone would like a podcast of it I could oblige. The recording made writing the minutes a lot easier, and more accurate, than usual.

Holme Bank Wood

Guy and Philip search the jungle, lots of small birch that the Society  planted can

be seen on the other side of the clough behind Guy.

Holme Bank Wood this morning, for more bracken bashing and stake and guard retrieval. Very warm and midgy up there, lovely views of the reservoirs though. This site is an ongoing attempt to add to semi-ancient woodland on the edge of the Reservoirs. There is some seriously deep bracken up there though, so we need to keep going back to get light to the smaller trees. Some of the birch look like they have some kind of blight, but others look ok so far. Some birch are self seeding on the rockier parts of the hillside. Rowan is also self seeding, and a few small oak.

Guy thinks there is lots of scope for further planting here and the other side of the reservoirs.

                                   That's Duncan wrestling with a stake under a bush                      

 

And that's me with my midge net on, demonstrating how not to remove a guard.

Marsden Green fair - publicity and recruitment

Philip considers adopting a minimum height requirement for Society volunteers.

Today we were at the annual Marsden green fair at the Mechanics Institute. Philip and I set up our stall at 10.00, and then we took turns to host the stall and hand out leaflets to visitors. We had several useful conversations with prospective volunteers, and also with people who may have sites for us to plant on. My mum helped out as well and had a fine old time. I got to talk to one of the Society's founder members Dr. Dransfield, who must in his late eighties now.

Tilly got her face painted, we won wine in the raffle, and my mum talked to anyone and everyone. 

Hemplow, Butterly and Rams Clough - a bit of everything

One of our valiant little trees struggling against the evil bracken at Hemplow Wood. Nice view of the reservoir though.

A typical summer mornings work. We took walk round Butterly reservoir, checking on the progress of some of last seasons planting, and trees from two or three years ago. We collected some old stakes and guards for recycling, we knocked back a bit of bracken to allow smaller trees to get some light, we cleared the footpath of fallen trees in the pine plantation, and we ended the morning by going up Rams Clough to persuade some sheep to leave one of our planting sites. A pleasant mornings work, good breeze so no midges. My feet were a bit sore from all the walking though. The damp weather has made it incredibly lush up there.

Guy and Philip do their best catalogue poses, modelling society t-shirts.

Three men and a chainsaw

Before the sawing. The tree in the centre is impeding the growth of those nearby.

Summer's here, and the time is right, for... doing a bit of woodland management. Planting season is over, so during the summer we meet every couple of weeks and carry out tasks like pruning, thinning our old sites, and collecting planting materials for re-use. Today we were in a small wood above Cowlersley, which the society planted 8-10 years ago. Three willow trees had been identified by Guy as having outgrown nearby oaks, and so were to be chopped back in order that the smaller trees might thrive. Philip had his chainsaw, and a risk assessment form, so we were all set. I taped off the paths leading into the site, and Guy announced our intention to nearby householders. Cake was a very civilised jam sponge, which, given there were only three of us, we all ate far too much of. 

After. Philip hard at work. Look at those lovely logs.

Hazard tape, and a CVTS waymarker.

Last saturday of the season. Meltham

The assembled throng is plied with strong drink

Last day of planting for this season, and we were once again high on the hill above Meltham. Planting Alder, Oak, Ash, and more Hawthorn and Blackthorn to supplement the shelter belt we planted here two weeks ago. It was a lovely morning, though the wind is a bit brisk up there. Brian brought  out the whiskey again at break time, and I understand it went well with the fruit cake. We had extra volunteers again this week, Army John, Richard, Roger, Dianne, Rob, and Wilf Proctor (one of the founder members of the society). Drinks were partaken in the Wills O' Nats afterwards. A very pleasant end to the season. Now we start planning for November!

Brian, Wilf and Dave

Brian's giant bare rooted alder!

Purely medicinal

Holme Bank Wood, and Well House

This morning we planted 100 Holly above Holme Bank Wood, overlooking Butterly Reservoir. It was a very steep and somewhat rocky slope, there was lots of moaning about rocks and no topsoil, but we got it done quite quick. We were quite high up, with a lovely view, but it was a bit unseasonally chilly. The cake was a very acceptable pecan and apricot fruit cake. Main photo shows Brian holding forth on some topic or other, and Dan listening raptly. Second photo is of Philip and Peter looking at the view, you can see our cars parked up on the hill in the background. After we'd had our tea and cake we stopped by at Well House on the way back, and planted 80-100 more trees and popped on a couple of hundred of the canes and spiral guards that Guy sourced.  A busy morning, we didn't finish til 1pm. 

Wills O' Nats

Today was another day of shelter belt planting organised by Brian, who also raised the funding for this. We were on Meltham Cop, behind the Wills O' Nats pub. The morning began with a presentation of flowers to Ann Norman, who bakes us a cake every week. Once that was done we trooped up to the top of the hill, where Brian demonstrated the correct way to plant trees; we did have quite a few extra helpers this morning, so it time well spent. We were planting a shelter belt of closely spaced Hawthorn and Blackthorn, 2 plants per metre, slightly staggered. The theory is that these will grow into a substantial hedge, and in time provide shelter which enables the farmer to leave his livestock out on the field for longer each year. This will reduce his costs for winter feed. 

Tidying up Green Owlers

For the sake of completeness I should mention that Sarah, Trevor and I went back to Green Owlers this morning and planted the remaining 30 Hawthorn, 30 Willow, and 20 Holly. We also went round the site putting the last few guards and stakes on trees which had been forgotten. It was a beautiful morning, and we listened to the Curlews on the moors while we worked. Brian had also been up there earlier this week tidying up. Finished! Trevor and Brian will be at Wholestone Moor this afternoon planting the last few there. Saturday, on to the next and last site at Will O' Nats!

Green Owlers week 2

See the many many trees planted, and the tired volunteers packing up

Amazingly, we got most of this site finished today. Over 1000 trees planted in two weekends, two Saturdays and a Sunday. My estimate is that we have 45 Hawthorn, and 30 Holly left from the original order, and maybe some extra Willow to bung in if we feel so inclined. We also came up short on stakes and guards too, so there are maybe 100 guards needed in total, and a similar number of stakes. I'll probably try to get these done one day this week, maybe with Trevors help. So, it was hard work, and we are all  probably quite tired, and the project management skills went a bit awry. But overall we can be quite proud that we got this done in so short a space of time. Nobody pays us to do this you know, we must be mad. Mind, we did have a very nice chocolate cake, made with Green and Blacks, maybe they'd like to sponsor us?

More tired volunteers, and another view of all our labours.

Green Owlers and Lindley School Owls

Mrs Shires, plus an Owl and parent, my mother in red hat lurking in the background

Every year we have a sunday when we are visited by the Lindley Owls. Mrs Shires organised a fantastic turnout and we got a huge amount of planting done, before the rain and snow and sleet set in. Home made biscuits were distributed, and the landowners made us a tea and coffee. A great morning was had, it was only the last half hour when it got a bit inhospitable.

Panorama of the site and Owls at work

Once again, a huge thankyou to Mrs Shires and colleagues for organising this, it gave us a big boost on this site and we got hundreds of trees planted.

Green Owlers. Dig, dig.... dig!

Duncan displays his supervisory skills

Our first week at a new site at the head of the Colne Valley. We have just over 1000 trees to plant in this field. The site is adjacent to previous planting from some years ago, so it all contributes to the gradual forestation! Though you can see by the landscape around, we have a fair way to go before its all woodland again. This morning we concentrated on digging holes, as we have the Lindley school Owls group coming out with us to plant tomorrow, and so we were preparing the ground for them. Its hard work digging all morning, so we needed our homemade Eccles cakes.

                                                                   Cath digs for victory                                                                                                    

See the barren moorland needing trees!

Well House Farm. Week 2. Sheep attack! And Arborial art.

 

Geoff was distraught when Philip told him about the Sheep attack.

They really are the bane of our lives, sheep. They had got onto this site after our first days planting, and nibbled a lot of the trees, some were completely eaten. We think that the Hawthorn (which was the bulk of the planting) will survive, and the field has now been made 100% secure. 

Despite this setback we carried on and planted another 300 trees.

We bulked out the Hawthorn hedge, it will be a thorny thicket worthy of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

On the other side of the field we planted Lime, Whitebeam, Rowan, Bird Cherry, and Wild Pear. The varieties have been carefully laid out, so that the sizes of tree should gradually rise, from the edge of the open meadow area, up to meet the existing tall trees on neighbouring land. We are arborial artists us.

Top photo is actually of Geoff eating carrot cake. There is also a before and after photo of Hawthorn, nibbled in ground, and unnibbled waiting to be planted.  Last photo is of  some of those present, left to right, James, Oliver, Geoff, Dave, Duncan and Cath.

Scotland Farm

Another week organised by Brian. This week were attempting to plant shelter belts across 5 fields on Scotland farm above Slaithwaite. We did our manful best, but I think we bit off more than we could chew. We had enough people for teams of 4/5 for three of the fields. In our field there were myself, Philip, Geoff and Duncan. We planted 136 trees in our first field, and then managed another 35 in the second. Our problem was that we were supposed to plant 300 trees in that first field, but there just wasn't enough room to plant them where the farmer wanted them. We were working in a narrow space between a dry stone wall and a barbed wire fence.  As I said, we did our best. I'm not sure how the other teams fared. Highlight of the morning though was being delivered bacon butties by quad bike. Very nice man that farmer. And we worked hard for him. But I do wonder what will happen to all the leftover trees, especially the bare-rooted stuff which will die pretty quick if not looked after right. Top photo shows the narrow gap we were working in. Bottom photo shows Duncan, Geoff and Philip enjoying coffee, scones, and the view.

Well House Farm

First week at Well House farm and there was still a fair amount of quite crusty snow on the ground. It wasn't as bad as it looked though, and with a generous number of volunteers we planted around 300 trees. Lots of Hawthorn, in a big hedge up one side fo the field, then some Holly, Hazel, Oak and Scots Pine in the lower part of the field. Lots more trees to plant here, so we will be back in a couple of weeks. This field has been very well fenced by the landowner, and Brian and Duncan were unable to escape.

We haven't staked or guarded the trees here yet, we are waiting on a batch of coil guards and canes, which Guy is sourcing for us. Todays cake was a rather nice Bakewell mincemeat hybrid. An excellent and thoroughly enjoyable mornings work.

Oh snow you don't! Formative pruning at Royd House Wood

Dear Simon

I thought I'd have a go at your blog in your absence - is this ok? Phillip was going to try and email me some photos but they might not materialise!

A change of plan this week due to the weather; the site we were meant to be planting at in Marsden was inaccessible because of the snow so we stayed closer to home and did some maintenance at Royd House Wood. We had a good turnout considering with Phillip, Guy, Neil, Duncan & Heidi. Royd House Wood is a site just down the road from the Nursery in Linthwaite planted some years ago by the society where we did a lot of thinning out last season; today we spent a gloriously sunny morning in a different part of the wood pruning oak trees plus a rather attractive avenue of lime trees. The wood did look quite Narnia-esque in the snow, but lopping off bits of trees did incur the occupational hazard of getting lots of white stuff down the back of your neck. Sadly due to the absence of Simon we were also bereft of Simon's Mum's cake, so we had to make do with a packet of chocolate hob nobs from my bag, circa. 2006.

Best Wishes

Heidi

Hemplow Wood beat up

"Beat up" is the term we use for going back to a previously planted site, and bunging in a few extra trees to fill gaps and replace failed trees. Sometimes certain types of tree won't thrive on a particular site, or will have been eaten by sheep. Today we went back to Hemplow Wood, which is either side of a clough next to Butterly Reservoir. We planted 170 trees, Scots Pine, Larch, and Oak. All the stakes we used this morning were ones reclaimed from earlier planting, and even some of the guards were re-used.  It was hard work clambering up and down the steep sides of the clough, but that's not unusual round these parts. In the first picture you can just about see Heidi, Philip and Duncan planting on the  lower slope, above them is Marsden Golf course, with an area we planted about 10 years ago. This site is doing particularly well, though in the winter depths of January, its really only the Sitka Spruce that stand out. This mornings cake was the always popular coconut crunch top. Philip's Fleet Foxes beard is coming along nicely too. 

Jerusalem Farm Slaithwaite

This morning's planting was organised by Brian Moriarty, who obtained generous funding for it from Northern Gas Networks/Northern Green Networks. Funding of £2000 was obtained to plant shelter belts for local farmers. Shelter belts help protect livestock and crops from the worst of the valley's elements, as well as contributing to tree coverage for the valley. This morning we were mostly planting hawthorn hedging, and Larch for shelter. Northern Gas Networks money will pay for over 2000 trees to be planted on 4 different farms this season. An official presentation was made, of the cheque and a glass trophy for Brians successful entry to their grant scheme. Brian had also organised for local dignitaries to attend, and rounded up lots of past volunteers to swell our numbers for the day. Even with a generous mid morning break for the presentation and bacon sandwiches, we still managed to plant 300 trees this morning.

Meal Hill, Slaithwaite

Another single morning site on the edge of Slaithwaite. A site like this, an unused corner of farmland, is beneficial to plant in two ways; it contributes to the gradual linking up of all the small areas of woodland in the Colne Valley, and the farmer gets a source of woodfuel for the future. The site was on Meal Hill, opposite side of the road from some new build housing, so we were careful not to plant anything likely to tower over them or ruin their view. Nearest the houses we planted Holly, and Guelder Rose, which is basically a shrub. Ash and the Hazel were the next nearest, and these will be coppiced so that they never grow too tall, meaning firewood, and an uninterrupted view for nearby householders. Along an existing tree and fence line of silver birch we added some Lime. And in the far corner of the field we planted Oak. Roughly 280 trees altogether. This morning's cake was a fine Apple sponge. 

White Hall Farm

A quickie today, a site done and dusted in half a morning. 120 trees planted, without stakes or guards in a well fenced field in front of a farmhouse. Quite an exposed site, so a windbreak of Larch and hardy Rowan, with some Oak and Hazel on the sheltered side. We got brought tea and coffee by the landowner, another plus, though Brian insisted on throwing a tot of whiskey into each cup. Cherry cake to accompany.

We finished there quite quickly and went off to remove some sheep from one of our old sites beside Marsden Golf course. We repaired a bit of wall where we think they got in. Photo is of Guy and Dave.

Then we retired to the Sair Inn to discuss our plans for the next few weeks.

I am giving up on my old Pentax Optio S30 camera. It really hates the cold weather, saying that the batteries are depleted no matter how fully charged they are. Shame, since its a handy little camera. I'll have to find some other junker off ebay, something that can stand a bit of mud and abuse.

Wholestone Moor. Week 2

No photos and no details this week, as I was off with flu. By all accounts it was cold and wet up there, but most of the trees got planted. There are maybe 30 left to do, and we will have to go back on a a day when they are not frozen solid!

Three unwise men. Wholestone Moor week 1

The day after boxing day, and a turnout of 5 not that surprising. Still, we worked hard and planted almost 200 trees. Pretty amazing giving we were all suffering from Christmas after effects. Site was quite wet, and there was a chill wind (though it has since got a helluva lot colder and the trees we left up there will be frozen solid). We mostly planted Alder, Birch and Hawthorn, because this hillside is spill from when the M62 was built, and the soil of poor shale-y quality. Cake was freshy made and especially brandy laden mince pies.