There will be blood, Fitzcaraldo!

Duncan, covered in blood

A diverse morning. Philip, Geoff, Diane and I spent an hour tidying up at the Nursery, and then we went up off to Merrydale. We had some coffee and cake, and then made a feeble attempt at clearing some Japanese knotweed. Duncan, who had been up there already with some Scout friends, cut his hand rather badly on a bramble. So that is the first bit of today's blog title. The second part refers to Geoff then dragging us up to the furthest corner of Merrydale to do some more filming and interviewing for his documentary. And that furry thing on top of Geoff's camera is, apparently, called a "dead kitten".

Not much tree planting, but there is serious work going on behind the scenes, getting quotes for fencing and signage, filling out monitoring forms, and making grant applications for next season.

Bracken bashing at Butterley Reservoir

Once again, bashing the bracken (which is not a euphemism). This time up the east side of Butterley Reservoir. Difficult steep terrain, but it was worthwhile as there were quite a few small trees that were struggling to keep going under bracken which was shoulder height. Yes it all looks pretty verdant up there, but mostly that is an endless sea of bracken. Cake was a homely and retro jam tart. Very nice. First picture is of Neil sitting on a bit of Yorkshire water architecture, some sort of access hole for reservoir stuff. Other picture is of Philip sharpening his implement (again, not a euphemism). I stepped on a covey of grouse while I was up there. Six of them, and they didn't take off until I was literally almost stepping on them. I think they need to shape up a bit before the glorious twelfth, or their prospects aren't good. And we might have seen a Ring Ouzel, but we aren't sure.

Nettle bashing at High Wood

A fine morning bracken and nettle bashing at High Wood, rescuing small trees from being swamped and deprived of light. Very worthwhile, there were lots of little trees in there that benefited. And it was a lovely morning too. I was experimenting with the panorama setting on my phone, and we had chocolate brownies at break time.

Marsden Cuckoo's nest AGM

Tonight I attended the Marsden cuckoo's nest AGM, and got the chance to thank them for the generous grant they recently gave us. A lovely bunch of people.

Lindley Methodist green fair

Today Philip and I set up our stall at the Lindley Methodist green fair. We were outside under a small gazebo, and it was unseasonably cold. Philip had to phone home and get a coat brought out. Neil and Duncan also turned up to lend a hand. Turnout wasn't huge, probably due to the weather, but someone did give us 10 trees (Douglas Firs?)

Bracken bashing and bee stings at High Brow

See those pesky bracken stems, look harmless don't they, they're not.

Philip and I went to High Brow above Meltham this evening to cut back some of the bracken growing over this years new planting. Very sunny and warm, and I got stung by something, not sure what it was, but it was flippin' painful. An otherwise successful evening. The trees at High Brow are doing very well. We did walk down to Jess's field to look at the planting from the year before, and bumped into Jess and her horses.

Looking out overMeltham.

Deer guards at Marsden Golf Club

Five members headed up to Marsden Golf Club to do a variety of jobs. Firstly we put on 50 deer guards in phase 4 of the plantiing at the golf course. The guards were put on the sessile oak in an area which has seen much unwanted sheep grazing action over the last few years. Duncan began taking off guards on some well established trees adjacent to the 'sheep super-highway' which were planted only marginally before the other trees. Later, after a break involving hastily bought digestive biscuits, a splinter group went to bracken-bash around Butterley reservoir. Finding that the trees were doing well, above the bracken, and didn't need bashing, Geoff continued his filming of all things 'Tree Society'. There was no need to take a photo of the biscuits (mostly broken) for the archive.

Fence mending at Marsden golf course

Philip, Dan and Guy hard at work.

Not a very nice morning, but worthy, and almost fun. Mending fences at Marsden golf course. These fences have been deliberately cut or broken down by human hands we think, but the upshot is that sheep can get into our recent planting and eat the young trees. Myself, Philip, Dan and Guy were there. And we had date and walnut cake. And found lots of golf balls. We have had to mend these fences before, so took very careful pictures of our finished work, so that we can say what state these were in on this date.

Hilarious picture of Philip, with a very small Dan tucked in his jacket.
Oh, and the fence we mended in the background.

Deer guarding at Green Hill Clough

Nice view back down towards Slaithwaite.

First day of summer work, and Philip, Neil and I were putting on deer guards up at Green Hill Clough above Marsden. Some of the oaks up there have been struggling over the last 3 or 4 years, and some say that it is deer that have been nibbling them. Brian did phone me the other night and said Muntjac deer had been spotted, and they have been spreading northwards in the last few years. Muntjacs are pretty voracious critters so we fear them. The deer guards are substantially taller than our usual tree guards (also more expensive!) and so should give the trees longer to get established. The three of us put on 50 new stakes and guards, and retrieved the old smaller stakes and guards for re-use. It was quite time consuming, getting up there and then finding which trees needed help most, but it was a lovely morning, and very peaceful up there.

Philip is in there somewhere, hidden by his Realtree shirt.

Fieldhouse site visit

This Monday evening, Philip, Duncan and I met Ramsay Bloom from Kirklees Council, on site at Fieldhouse Slaithwaite. This site has been under discussion for the last two years, but we hope to move forward with it in the 2010/11 season. Originally it had been suggested that this field be used as an experiment in wood fuel planting, but subsequent discussions, including that with Ramsay this evening suggest that it would be better to treat this as a more naturalistic community woodland area, with some limited woodfuel planting. We already have grant money to pay for arborial work to make safe some large dead trees at the rear of the site, to replace the access gate, and to plant a selection of native tree species across the upper and side parts of the field. It is a lovely site, with great views out over Slaithwaite. Ramsay explained that the field is what used to be the grounds of Fieldhouse, a large mill owners residence, which came into Council hands some years ago, and is now converted into flats. He also showed us the remains of the more formal garden at the bottom of the slope, where, hidden amongst the trees at the side of the road, are Victorian paths, rockery, trees and shrubs. We also discovered a guerilla allotment in the far corner of the field, which we will do our best to respect when we come to planting.

Bolster Moor Farm Shop - phase 2

Neil and Brian, a meeting of minds.

Here we are again at Bolster Moor Farm Shop, helping out a local business. Today we finished planting the heathers and ground covering plants in front of the car park. It was a lovely morning, with Brian, Neil, Richard, Roger and myself. Good view from up there, and it was a lovely clear day so we could see as far as Selby and the Drax power station, which must be 30 miles at least. Also on site were some young Scouts who had also been drafted in. A meeting of generations then.

They thought it was all over...

Well last week was the official end of the season, as decreed by our chairman, but Brian phoned round on Thursday night looking for volunteers to help with some planting at Bolster Moor farm shop. So there we were, planting heathers and other ground covering plants in front of the car park of the new Bolster Moor farm shop. We did get a section of pork pie each, and the sun did shine. Attending were, Brian, Peter, Trevor, Philip, Dan, Duncan and myself.

END OF THE SEASON

There were just three of us for the last day of planting this season, Geoff, Guy and Philip. We began by planting self seeded ash saplings out in the tree beds at the nursery. The main job of the day though was to plant 250 holly at Netherwood Farm as part of our ongoing 'beating-up' policy. This task was made alot easier due to all the holes being dug beforehand, so we just had to plant the trees. This allowed Geoff time to take some footage for his film about the Tree Society. And it allowed all of us to lie in the sun looking up at an aircraft free blue sky. Netherwood is a great place to be on a sunny day, even though there was a steady breeze. The only thing that was not ideal was the lack of cake.

Netherwood Farm and Wholestone Moor

The last day of the season? Fingers crossed. We started up at Netherwood Farm, where we were "beating up", planting new trees in and amongst previously planted stuff. Not everything on this site has thrived, so we were augmenting it with more Hawthorn and Oak. I think around 150 trees got planted. Dave and I left after cake break, and went back to Wholestone Moor to finish off there. We planted around 90 trees up there, though we left some unstaked and unguarded. The important thing was to get the trees in the ground before they start their spring growth. The site is now very well fenced, so the trees should be safe enough from grazing. We will pop up there sometime in the Summer to finish off. Today's cake was a splendid and substantial Bakewell tart. We worked quite hard this morning, to try and bring the season to a close, I was worn out, but still ceremoniously washed my gaiters and boots after we'd finished. I don't bother to clean my kit all winter, just when I think we've finished.

SUNNY SCAMMONDEN

Today's blog is written by Philip, as I was out wining and dining.



To paraphrase a wise man, the best planting days are enjoyed by the least number of people. Yesterday at Scammonden was one such day.
Six people planted 170 trees after a long trek to the site, which was adjacent to a footpath along the shores of Scammonden Water. A hawthorn hedge was planted as a woodland edge, with sessile oak and hazel behind. There are still 30 trees to plant in this sector along with some alder in another sector. Brian, Peter, Neil, Philip, Duncan and his daughter Sophie did a good job in adverse conditions - sunshine. N.B. the photos were taken after the sun had gone in. We missed our weekly fix of cake though.

Gardening at night

Philip and I went out on a Friday evening, in an attempt to plant some of the season's last trees. Back to High Brow at Meltham to add another 60 trees to the earlier planting. It rained a bit a the start, but then cleared up into a pleasant almost spring like evening. And the two of us planted 60 trees in under an hour and half. Which wasn't bad.

Oh, and the blog title is the title of an old REM song.

Carry on, mind that chicken. The sequel

Our second week at this site, and we were joined by Mrs Shires and Lindley infants OWLs group. Incredibly brave of them, condsidering it was a miserable rainy morning. The kids didn't seem to mind though, and another 400 or so trees got planted. Amazing progress. Thankyou again to Yolande for organising, and for all the parents and children who joined in. Lets hope the weather is nicer next time. I took no photos this week, as it was a bit wet, and I have to admit I'd left the batteries in the charger anyway. So thank you to Duncan for the picture. In just two Saturdays around 1000 trees got planted on this site, pretty darn impressive.

Carry on, mind that chicken!

Dave, Duncan, Neil, and chicken, and whiskey.

Our first week at Glen View Marsden, where there are quite a lot of trees to be planted. Thanks to Brian we had a good turnout, with Richard, Roger and Ramsay joining us. Old stalwarts comprised me, Philip, Neil, Dave, Trevor, Peter, Brian, Geoff, Heidi, Duncan - and making a special guest appearance Ali. Neil and Sarah the landowners also pitched in, and were a bit taken aback at how speedy we were. We planted around 400 trees, which is a good mornings work. We were mildly harassed by chickens, who were excitedly looking for worms even before we had finished digging a hole. Homemade biscuits at break time. And Whiskey courtesy of Brian. Weather was kind to us, cool at first, but brightening up at the end. Fingers crossed for next week at the same site. Down the hill to the Riverhead afterwards, though some of the mature chaps went to the Vineyard, the gentlemen only club at Slaithwaite (imagine a cross between Last of the Summer Wine, and Deliverance).

Ali adopts a chicken.

Trevor surveys the distance.

Huck Hill. Will plant for soup.

The soup that was not.

Third and last week of this season at Huck Hill, and we got the majority of the 600 trees planted over the three weeks. Some were left for Iain the landowner to do later when his scrape and pond liner are in place. Weather was mixed, some drizzle and lots of low cloud, but once or twice there was a bit of brightness and a view. Lots of extra volunteers again, thanks to Rob and Mick, and to Diane and several friends. Diane had brought soup along, but her camping stove had run out of gas. So we had to make do with the home made lemon drizzle cake and luxury biscuits provided by Ian. Its nice working up at Huck Hill, but a long slog getting up there.

Apologies for not writing this sooner, Ali.

Assembled throng.

Hubris at Huck Hill

Dave, in the mist.

Well, I shouldn't have been so delighted with last week. This week was a bit more grim. Same site, entirely different weather, foggy, with snow and sleet. Plus we were in a different part of the site, which had tough grass alternated with boggy bits. Hard going. Geoff was doing more filming, we are getting used to his prescence. Our happy band consisted of Trevor, Peter, Brian, Neil, Geoff, Dave, myself, and Iain the landowner. One more week on this site should do it, it jolly well better, we still have a ton of trees to do elsewhere. It was nice warming up in the pub afterwards. Sorry, nearly forgot Duncan, who struggled manfully up the hill, but then got poorly with his asthma and had to go home.

Geoff, the docu-mentalist.

Glory, glory, glory!

Geoff and Philip on the horizon.

It is one of the unwritten rules of this lark, that the most glorious morning of the season will be the one when hardly anyone turns up. Your loss, people. It was stunning up there this morning. True, it was cold, and there was a little snow on the ground, but the sky was deep blue and the sun shone. We were high up above the Tunnel End and Canal centre at Marsden. We planted there two seasons ago, and we have a new moorland fringe field to plant up with 600 trees this season. Iain the landowner joined myself, Philip, Dave, Geoff and Diane. We had a lovely time and ate very substantial apple flapjack. Geoff made a start on his documentary about us.

Honestly, there is nothing like a bit of hard work, on a cold sunny morning, up high on a snowy hill.

Looking back down towards where we had to climb up

A cunning plan.

High Ridge, Meltham

A pleasant morning planting 185 trees in a field overlooking Meltham. We were mob-handed, with help from Richard and Roger, as well as Angie and friends from the Slubbing Billies. The usual suspects were also at work, Philip, Dave, Dan, Brian, Trevor, Peter, Geoff and myself. Fine weather and the job got done in quick time. Then on to the Mid season meeting at the Sair (pub).

Guerrillas in the mist - Wholestone Moor

Trevor, Philip, Diane and Brian

Another week at Wholestone Moor, and another variety of weather. This time thick fog. Got plenty done, in a nice convivial atmosphere. We have planted around 700 trees here so far, and will now wait until the fencing contractor has been and done his work, then we will return and plant alongside the new fence. This weeks cake was a rather crumbly but delicious apple cake. Someone (ungrateful cur) only rated it 7/10, so it'll be plain cream crackers for them in future. We did do a little bit of cheeky guerrilla planting today, slightly over the boundary of where we should have been. Wild and crazy us.

Wholestone Moor week 3 - good in parts

Neil, Philip, Dave, Heidi, Geoff, Duncan, and Matt - Trevor and Brian in the distance, somewhere

A very cold day, and the atmosphere wasn't just meteorological. There needs to be some sort of tree society Oath that everyone takes, including promises not to criticise or correct other volunteers work, and not to argue unecessarily. Ask not what your tree society can do for you, but what you can do for your tree society. Aside from all that, we had a productive morning, in brilliant cold sunshine. Probably planted around 250 trees again, which wasn't bad going given that some were frozen solid and unplantable. Lets hope those trees thaw for next week, and that some of those frozen people skills also warm up.

Wholestone Moor - Finally we get to plant some trees!

Dan and Dave figure out which trees are which.

Officially then this is the second week at Wholestone Moor, a very large shelter belt site between farmland and the M62, but in reality this was the first week of real planting. I think we managed to plant over 200 trees, which wasn't bad going after having to transport the trees to the site, and acquaint everyone with the planting plan. Still deep snow in some places, and Trevor, who is six foot four, managed to go groin deep into a snow drift. So that gives you some idea. Cake was a luxurious bakewell tart. Other notable topic of the morning, Dan's new realtree multifunction gloves, with "trigger finger" (or nose picking) capability.

Winter madness

Philip knee deep, Neil in the background.

Well, it has begun to thaw, and we were determined to do something rather than nothing. So we went to Wholestone Moor to dig some holes. Snow was about 3 ft deep in places so it was a bit of a fools errand. Still, we got some fresh air and exercise, took some nice pictures, and had some nice cake. Cake was a lovely date and brazil nut affair, but Cath had her own date-less portion.

The Cath in the hat.

Slaithwaite Spa

Before, annoying tree in way.

After, much nicer view of Spa Mill

We are still up to our ears in snow, so we opted for some maintenance work this morning. The Society planted trees at Slaithwaite Spa some years ago, and the friends of Slaithwaite Spa had asked us to come back and trim or remove some trees that had begun to obscure the view of the valley from the benches. Its Kirklees land, so the Environment unit had been advised. Philip had his trusty chainsaw (plus safety trousers, helmet, gloves and ear protectors), and he was joined by Duncan, Guy, Heidi, Dave and myself. We had a pretty good time, though it was damned hard work because the trees in question were planted on a very steep slope. Duncan has kindly provided some great photos. There is a before and after pic after Philip took down the main offender tree, a pic of Philip at work, and a pic of me pinned under a bit of tree that I had just dragged down the slope. Oh, and we went to the Commercial afterwards for a rest and a pint.

Foolish boy

Man at work