Replanting at Scammonden

Ben, and Jess

Today we were at Scammonden Reservoir replanting some trees for Yorkshire Water. We were also able to retrieve some stakes and guards for use at other sites. It wasn't a terribly nice morning, cold and sleeting, but the group spirit stayed mostly buoyant. Especially when the cake was brought out. We were: Jess, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Hap, Stephen, Peter, Ben, Duncan (and Harvey the dog). The Senior Section, Brian, Trevor, Peter and honorary member Neil, went to Meltham Cop to begin planting the trees bought with Granville Shaw's legacy.

Finishing up at Parkwood

Packing up, job done. 2500 trees in total.

Not strictly true that, we will back at Parkwood in a couple of weeks with some Woodland Trust trees and Lindley Owls, but today we planted the last of the Kirklees Environment Unit funded trees, 500 Hazel. Glorious sunny morning, enjoyed by: myself, Philip, Geoff, Ben, Cath, Remy, Duncan, Sophie (and Harvey the dog), Pierre-Alexandre, Claudine, Maxime, Edouard, Jess, Peter, Peter, Ramsay, Trevor and Neil. We were also joined by Richard, Mel and their family. Cake was a very nice chocolate sponge, enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Another 500+ trees planted at Parkwood

Ropey photo I know, but you can see the nascent hedge, and all the trees planted in the field in the distance.

Today we we planted 300 Hawthorn and 200 Ossier Willow at Parkwood, plus some Oak. The Hawthorn will formed a hedge along the top edge of one of the fields. This hedge can later be used for hedge laying practice. The Ossier Willow has been planted for a source of basket making materials, and filled a small area next to the Hawthorn hedge, and also made up what will be a Willow hut next to the Golcar food co-ops allotments. The Willow hut was planted by Richard and Rob, and the other members of the Golcar co-op.
Tree Society folk were: Ben, Philip, myself, Stephen, Peter, Hap, Geoff, Remy, Duncan (and Harvey the dog) and Dave. Planting some oaks in the adjoining field were Brian, Peter, Ramsay, Trevor and Dianne. Cake was a very nice coconut and lime sponge.

Then we retired to the Sair in Linthwaite for our mid-season meeting. Dianne provided us all with soup and bread. And the meeting went quickly as several present wished to get home to watch the rugby.

Parkwood and Pasture Wood, again.

Philip, Guy, Dave, Andrew, Hap and Stephen

Today we split into two groups again, the senior team going to Parkwood, Golcar and rest visiting Pasture Wood, Marsden. The day started frosty and a little cloudy but gradually warmed up and by eleven o'clock it felt warm and sunny, even Spring-like. We planted in excess of 150 Scots pine and Italian alder at Pasture Wood. As with all the work here this season, these quick-growing, hardy species are being planted amongst the existing trees to try and improve their slow growth rate on this exposed site by providing more shelter from the elements. It's slow going here as the terrain is so steep and uneven and much time is spent getting about the site and trying not to fall over. It's hard work. Also, the nature of the work does not help as infilling with trees ranging over a wide area makes the  ergonomics of the process hard to optimise. Despite Simon's absence we had cake courtesy of Simon's Mum and Philip who picked it up from Marsden on the way to the site. It was a delicious light fruit cake. At Pasture Wood we were, Geoff, Philip, Andrew, Stephen, Hap, Ben, Dave, Remy and Guy. Not sure of the exact turnout at Parkwood (or what trees were planted) but definitely present were, Brian, Trevor and Peter, and with a rare guest appearance from Bob. Afterwards Philip and Guy went off to a pruning event at Old Ground organised by Duncan.

Geoff