Many rivers to cross

Lonely little tree on the edge.

Up beyond Eastergate, Marsden today. Bracken-bashing some of the National Trust trees. It seems doubly important given how many did not survive the fire. The ones left need plenty of light, and less competiton from other plants.

We were; Geoff, Tanya, Jess, myself, Philip, and Dan.

Me in my hi vis and camo combo outfit.

https://youtu.be/-y9Q7ud7Or0?si=x_5nhoDCNTWOyW6l

Dead flowers

 This morning we up above Slaithwaite weeding some hedgerows we previously planted. Which does of course mean we had to have a debate and make tough decisions about whether the pretty flowers were less important than the future hedgerow. Given that hedges are rarer than flowers round here the hedges won, and the flowers are dead, or at least roughed up a bit.

We were; myself, Geoff, Kara, Dan, Tanya, Jim, Philip, Asad, and Peter.

Dan, battling brambles.

https://youtu.be/Avrv8t_nEI0?si=v3CMY33oxsSB8H80

Hard to believe that I found you

Tiny tree, regrowing after fire.

So today we were helping the National Trust identify and protect trees caught in last year's big moor fire to the west of Marsden. Lots didn't survive, but we found 300 that did, in just one morning. We have noticed from previous fires that seemingly dead trees will sprout again from the roots. But they are then tiny seedlings struggling against the rest of the vegetation around them. So for the 300 survivors we found we put new low profile plastic tubes on them to give them a better chance. This sort of work is very labour intensive, but quite satisfying. Weather helped, sunny with a good breeze.

Dave, Geoff and Dianne 

We were; myself, Tanya, Dianne, Jim, Philip, Geoff, Dave, Peter, and Kara.

https://youtu.be/R0vKLi6VgqA?si=I90b9up2kXn-RgUM And yes, reader, I own this record.

Live wire

Ben tries to recharge by sitting under power lines.

Myself, Dave, Stephen, Ben and Paul were at Clark Hill giving a struggling hedge some tlc. 45 new plants were added, and many more were straightened, weeded, re-guarded. 

https://youtu.be/DbTG9YTbdc0?si=fo2ytbrFcZJUrJZp

Meanwhile...

Jess, Peter, Dan and Tanya completed the final 10m of the hedge planted earlier this season Crowther Laithe, Marden with some 40 plants (25 blackthorn, 15 hawthorn, 1 elm, 2 hazel), whilst I (Geoff) straightened and replaced guards and stakes from the contiguous hedge section done last year. 

After break, Geoff, Jess, Dan and Tanya went up to the top hedge section of the Crowther Laithe plantings of 24/25 season to beat up some trees that died in last year's drought (10 hazel, 6 birch) and replace a fair few of the canes and spirals with hare guards and do general required maintenance on the rest due to severe weather battering the site had taken in the winter.

The major majority of plants from both sections are growing well, and the site now looks quite ship-shape. We finished the work just after 1.00pm. Nice photo from top section attached.

Meanwhile also...

Philip, Jonathan, Tarun and Andrew planted some 40 trees (25 oak, 10 rowan, 2 silver birch) on adjacent land with a different owner, slightly down the hill from Crowther Laithe

Black cow

This pic by Tanya is slightly scary

We spread ourselves over a variety of valley beauty spots this morning. Finishing bits of hedge and using some plants on a track verge. I think 330 plants total, approx.

We were; myself, Tanya, Cath, Dan, Dianne, Jess, Stephen, Hap, Ben, Andrew, and Philip.

I may have used this track before, as I love a bit of Steely Dan, but it is entirely appropriate for Tanya's picture.

https://youtu.be/XRj0Ohg-y1A?si=p51bDrJ7I_hri8Sv

Stephen

Upside down

Peter and Philip

Molly!

Last day planting at Castle Hill? Present were: Philip, Dave, Peter, John, Tess, Dianne, Jess, Tarun, Jim, Dan, and Geoff. 400 trees planted? 

https://youtu.be/5zyidkj2fpo?si=EvUqcAMP2goXNLbH

 

Tarun at the point of origin

Paul at the destination

A woodland management and wood processing day today. Philip, Dave, Hap, Tarun, Peter, Dan, Tanya, Stephen and myself were in a patch of woodland that we planted over 20 years ago, thinning it out. The healthier and more long-lived varieties were left alone, and given more light and space to grow by removal of some less prime specimens. Brash piles were made with the branches.

The timber was then moved back to base by Mick and his trailer

At base, Jess, Dianne, Paul and Geoff unloaded, sorted and stacked, but also split some logs and stacked the wood in the drying sheds.

Hap provided cake for both groups!

Warning!

We have been told that someone is going door to door claiming to represent us, and other local charities, and taking donations. 

Do not donate money in this way. If you want to donate to any local charity contact them directly.

 

Nice pic by Ben!

Up above Slaithwaite again, putting in another 500 hedge plants on farmland. We were; Ben, Philip, Geoff, Dianne, Dan, Peter, Stephen, Sophie, Jess, Tarun, myself, Dave, and Jon.

We belong together

Up Meal Hill way again, putting in another 500 hedge plants. We were; Philip, Dan, Dave, Geoff, Dianne, Jess, Judith, Peter, Asad, Ben, Jim, Andrew, Tanya, and myself.

And a valentine themed tune?

Other voices

Pic by Tanya. Site of a previous fire on Castle hill. Next to where we parked.

Another tree planting session at Castle Hill, made possible by cooperation with Kirklees, and our chaperoning of members of the public who wanted to help, special thanks to Philip, Stephen, Dan and Hap for this.

Also present were myself, Tanya, Asad, Dianne, Judith, Andrew, Jim, Dave, Geoff, John, and Jess.

And more thanks to Kirklees staff and their volunteers.

https://youtu.be/BnwTjTR1NmY?si=8BEL8LRUCDvCESdL

I washed my hands in the muddy water

Cath, Philip, Dan and Dianne.

 Hedging at Meal Hill. We were; Dan, Philip, Tanya, Jim, Hap, Asad, Dianne, Richard, Judith, Stephen, Ben, Dave, Sophie, myself, and Cath.  Geoff and Jess were at Wilberlee finishing off last week's stretch. 500 plants in total.

Me in my boiler suit in the muddy farmyard.

https://youtu.be/08UAnAOlymI?si=JPtSdf2iYuaUPTMB

All down the line

 

Up at Wilberlee, planting mixed hedge row for a local farmer. 500 plants went in, mostly hawthorn with elements of hazel, dog rose, guelder and field maple. We were; myself, Geoff, Tanya, Jim, Philip, Dave, Andrew, Dan, Hap, Cath, Ben, Jess, Jon, Tess Asad, and Stephen.

https://youtu.be/5GUV9dUpa-k?si=g-Iqj8bf-V_D-UaP

Castle Hill

More work with Kirklees Council on Castle Hill. Not sure of details but Geoff, Dave, Philip, Stephen, and  Jess were there at least.

Rochdale Road

266 trees planted by Geoff, Philip Dan, Stephen, Hap, Dave, Dianne, Matthew, Jim, Tanya, myself, Peter. Cold but sunny.

Myself and Matthew

Two groups this morning. At Blackmoorfoot, Geoff led myself Tanya, Ben, Jim, Stephen, and Dianne. Planting 125 trees along two edges of a field. Philip led Dan, Dave and Matthew adding 60 plants to a hedge in need of help at Hey Knowles, and then joined us to finish off at Blackmoorfoot.

Horses

Up Crowther Laithe, Marsden today, planting two shortish tredges (as I believe hedges with a few trees might now be called?)

An eventful morning, with a fox, chickens, soup, biscuits, grubs, and some break-dancing horses.

We were Philip, Stephen, Jess, Tanya, myself, Dave, Matthew, and Dan.

https://youtu.be/NUPQ5ilvpi0?si=LF4KYjsBWh4ha31E

Pule Hill

A trip to Pule Hill to replace some failed trees for National Trust. 

We were; myself, Geoff, Dave, Philip, Stephen, Dan, Jon, Tess, Tanya, Ben, Jim, Peter, and Matthew.

I think we replaced over 200 trees.

Lovely weather, and that was nice because we were going for our Christmas drink after at the Sair, and it was good to be relatively clean and dry for that. Good beer, good company, and pasties from the Handmade Bakery in Slaithwaite.

All the lovely photos by Tanya, as usual.

A fungus found by Stephen

Stephen on the hunt for trees to replace, and fungi.

Castle Hill

To Castle hill for some tree planting on a Kirklees Council site. The group comprised Philip, Dave, Geoff, Dan, Dianne, Jess, Adam, Tanya, Stephen, Cath, Jim and Hap. 

Hades 2

Dreek!

All this rain does make for some nice colours.

Above Marsden again, planting another 150 horse friendly trees and shrubs.

We were myself, Dave (pictured), Cath, Tanya, Geoff, Jim, Dan, Adam, Dianne, Stephen, Hap, Matthew, Chayley, Jess, Paul,  Philip, and Ben. 

Hap and Cath brought chocolate cake and mince pies respectively. Both excellent.

Dave's new foul weather smock was admired.

 

Hades 1

Up above Marsden, planting 150 horse-friendly trees alongside a paddock.

We were; Philip, Tanya, Dan, Geoff, Dave, Dianne, Cath, Adam, Peter, Ben, and Stephen.

Save me (Redbrook 2)

Jess looking simultaneously confused yet dynamic 

Interesting morning, for me and Ptol in particular. He and I separately tried to convince the others of the health benefits of cold water plunges - by falling waist deep into a ditch of muddy freezing water. We both went home to get dry and warm. I'm very grateful to Adam for pulling me out. 

Anyway, another 200+ shrubs and trees were planted by; myself, Philip, Dianne, Adam, Dan, Peter, Stephen, Steve, Dave, Geoff, Sam and Ptol, Ali, Tanya, Jim, and Jess. 

A murky morning.

https://youtu.be/72fDsC2kX7g?si=OtncNq9wI1ZjyOZI

Redbrook 1

Up to the very head of the valley to plant a couple of hundred trees and shrubs. First day of planting of the season and it was "classic" weather. Cold, wet and windy. The wet and the digging made for muddy muddy people.

We were; myself, Geoff, Dave, Philip, Matthew, Cath, Dianne, Adam, Jess, Lee, Tanya, Dan, Hap, Stephen, Steve, Ben, and Sophie.

Hap brought cake. And we were able to enjoy it indoors for a change.

And at tea break time I was presented with a thank you card and gifts for being secretary for 18 years. Lovely!

https://youtu.be/-T9vmaTI2LE?si=ewufh9vWcaWXklg0

Thank you for card and gifts!

My trousers were yellow once.

 

Lovely larch, just too many

Up above Marsden thinning a small area planted 30 years ago. Trees removed were mostly larch, which were intended as a nurse species while other trees got established.

We were; myself, Jess, Dianne , Philip, Stephen, Dan, Cath, Geoff, Dave, and Jon.

Jess made parkin.

Everyone looking lovely in hi vis

The woods

More woodland management. This time there were 6 of us in the woods themselves. Myself, Dave, Stephen, Jon, Peter and Philip. Lots of carrying - and more good wood on site that we didn't have the time or energy to move. Be some sore backs on Sunday. 

Back at the nursery receiving all the bounty were Geoff, Cath, Hap, Ben, Dianne, Adam, Jess, and Chayley. And they had flapjack. And deckchairs.

https://youtu.be/CFjw5gJ3xv8?si=wcxUehY1fZ6F2Krz

Wood

Two groups working this morning. 

Philip, Stephen, Dan, Dave, myself, and Peter were in Marsden - thinning out some trees planted 20+ years ago. Carefully selecting the nurse species, and the weaker of the main species -  allow light and shade, and strong growth of the remaining trees.  Some significant squirrel damage was noted to some trees.

Mick was kindly using his large trailer to take the felled material back to the Nursery....

...where, Jess, Dianne, Adam, Ben, Geoff, and Hap were merrily piling it all up, and cutting some of it into logs, or loglets.

In/appropriate Taylor Swift tune.

Rattlesnakes!

Geoff, Dan, Dave, Philip H., Ben, Steve G., Sam, Tol and Jim cleared all remaining the guards from High Wood on Saturday (leaving just a few on some more spindly of the newest trees). This covered quite a wide area across different eras of planting. About six bags of guards were taken by Dave straight to the tip. The whole site is a lovely, quiet, green oasis now though the himalayan balsam needs some serious tackling.

As a significant update to this, Philip H got stung on his leg this morning. Later, seeing as his foot was starting to swell he went to hospital. They told him he'd been bitten by an Adder. Needless to say this has never happened before. And assuming Philip ever comes out to play with us again he will be given some sort of award like volunteer of the year. I hope he is feeling better.

https://youtu.be/gSc46sEZdl4?si=g6HToU1zdP8PfuTz

Pinfold

Geoff, Jess, Dianne, Dan, Philip H. and Ben de-guarded this site today. We left a few on some of the more spindly oaks and sweet chestnuts. Spoke to Chris the owner at the end and he will remove these in due course.

 

One patch of trees was mostly dead (about 25). Don't know why but probably lack of water. Maybe beat up at some point - Chris was keen and he spoke about more trees on the site. There isn't a great deal of room but worth looking at I think.

 

We retrieved 45 good deer stakes which are now in the polytunnel. 

On the beach

An hours solo bracken bashing, then beachcombing on the sand at Butterley. Found a fragment of slipware (18th century plate?) Along with the usual broken willow pattern stuff. And a few beer cans.

A bit of appropriate Neil Young?

Nursery

 A day tidying up the nursery. Geoff, Dave, Jim, Dan, Ben, Jess, Tanya, Philip H., Dianne and Philip B.

Dogwood

 Some light guard removal at Rochdale Road. Geoff, Dianne, Jess, Steve and Dan.

https://youtu.be/A2Clk74vDwI?si=DQO9sTnLf5VRQEcN

Heroes

1005 trees (67 bundles of 15), kindly donated by CFH. These will be the basis of 3 planting projects this Autumn. CFH got in touch with us via Matthew at the Employer Engagement team at Kirklees Council.

https://youtu.be/fCTt0VDNJaQ?si=LrvgdD_2wR2l6QJT

So it goes

Foreground previously done, back newly done.

Back to Butterley for a bit more solo work rescuing some small trees overwhelmed by bracken. Muggy, midgy, sweaty work.

https://youtu.be/UCaf8woXAeM?si=2DKRr5orv57fJTYh

Shady Lane

Shady looking bunch

Weeding and guard collecting on the far side of Scammonden, ground planted in partnership with White Rose Forest, who paid us for aftercare. We were; myself, Geoff, Dave, Philip H., Philip B., Dan and Jim.

https://youtu.be/ixncbflEqes?si=1ZV9Zxdjx-1LOgwA

 Weeding at Rochdale Road, Geoff, Philip B., Jim, Philip H.

Weeding at Hey Knowles, Geoff, Philip B., Philip H., Dan, Chayley, Matthew, Jess, Dave, Hap.

Bracken bashing at Butterley, me, Geoff, Philip B., Paul, Dan. Jim

 Bracken bashing at Willykay Clough. Me, Geoff, Dan, Paul, Jim.

Ghetto

Bracken bashing at Willy Kay Clough. We were; myself, Philip B., Geoff, Dave, Ben, Dan, and Jim.

Willie Kent (Willy K?) Chicago bass player.

Devil's haircut

 Light duties today, trimming a hedge we planted years ago, so that it doesn't overhang a road. We were; Sam, Ptol, Dave, Dan, Peter, Geoff, and myself. A small amount of tidying and guard removal also occurred. Lovely day.

https://youtu.be/aa3rBVb3v4g?si=AzG2-ExTsfSi84Zh

Hold on

Dead grass, but also unwell plants. Hold on little plants!

This week we were weeding a previously planted site above Slaithwaite. Most of the plants looked good, but a few had been damaged by some over enthusiastic use of weedkiller.

We were; myself, Philip H., Dianne, Philip B., Dave, Jim, Peter, Geoff, Sam, Ptol and Matthew.

https://youtu.be/Le-3MIBxQTw?si=9Mj8lTYY0ZRAtwVa