Three men in a field picking wild flowers

Me and my bouquet.

Philip, Geoff and myself went to Fieldhouse to strip out Ragwort, and a do bit of weeding. It was stupidly humid and I lost about half my bodyweight in sweat, but there are worse ways to spend a Thursday evening. Almost all the trees are growing despite vigorous competition from Ragwort and grass. Some encroachment by brambles and knotweed along the top edge of the field though. Need to keep an eye on this.

A hard days log

Jess's unorthodox method of securing wood while sawing.

So today was all about gathering and preparing wood fuel. Myself, Dave, Remy, Hap and Geoff went to Hemplow Wood and retrieved some Larch logs from where we did some thinning out a few weeks ago. Then we returned to the Nursery to join Philip, Jess, Ben, Jack and Neil who were cutting up and bagging some already dried timber. While it wasn't as sunny as recently, it was still flipping warm, and midgy. Cake was a very jammy bakewell tart. And we retired exhausted to the Sair where Bobby was playing 80's funk.

Remy and Dave chopping and bagging.

Bracken bashing at Helme

Ben, Geoff and Philip adrift in a sea of fern.

This Saturday the team, Ben, Geoff, Philip, Guy, Duncan and Harvey the dog, spent the morning at Helme, Meltham, knocking back bracken to allow young trees some light. It was obviously quite hot, and they had to manage without homemade cake, as I was away at the seaside. So well done chaps.

Ben looks hot, Guy looks like a panther about to pounce, and Geoff looks casual.

After all the work, you can see trees, and the trees can see the sun.

Merrydale, clearing for the Dartmouth Shoot.

Remy wearing fetching midge-net hat. And Harvey, who looks a bit like half a dog in this picture..

So today we went to Merrydale, a sight planted by us over a number of years. Our task today was to clear brambles, at the request of the Dartmouth Shoot. We were: myself, Philip, Geoff, Remy, Duncan, and Harvey the dog. It was a bit humid, a bit thorny, and a bit midgy, but we spent a productive morning cutting brambles out and formatively pruning some of the trees. Cake was chocolate. And a good time was had by all. Even Harvey the dog, who nicked Geoff's bit of cake while Geoff was talking.

Philip rehydrating, cleared understorey in background

Geoff and Philip hard at it.

Poly-tunnel palaver

Guy, unravelling.

Philip and Remy do interpretive dance in the Society's new performance space.

Today we re-covered the Nursery poly-tunnel. We spent a previous Saturday clearing the frame, and digging trenches. Dave and Ben had done more work on weekdays too. We were; Guy, Mandy, Philip, Ben, myself and Remy. We started by doing a little more remedial work on the trenches, and the land drain on one side. We had to apply insulating tape to the frame to stop the metal framework getting hot and weakening the polythene. Then we had a comedy half hour trying to decide how to unwrap, unroll, and handle the huge and unwieldy polythene sheet. When we had got this worked out we draped the sheet over the frame, and began anchoring the sides under hardcore in the trenches. Plus also we had to pin the sheet to the door frames at each end.  3 hours work in the sunshine, followed by a drink at the pub. And homemade oak cookies.

The more or less finished item.

Summer work 2013 - The polytunnel

Guy, Ben, Mandy, Ben and Dave. And blue sky!

First day of our Summer Saturdays, and it was lovely weather. We were doing preparations for the reconstitution of the poly tunnel. Dave and Ben have spent a lot of time clearing the area, and pulling down the massive Roses that had grown over the frame. Today we were digging the trench around the sides, which the tunnel material will be buried into to anchor it. We were: Mandy, Guy, Dave, Philip, myself, Ben, Neil, Geoff and Remy. We were briefly joined by Duncan and Harvey the dog, but they left before any work got done! Cake was a lovely sugary coffee and walnut.

Towards the end Guy and Dave became fixated on some old concreted in fence posts at the bottom end of the poly tunnel. They enjoyed subjecting these to considerable violence.

For your consideration, new tree protection for next season

Cath with tree

While on the Greek Island of Kalymnos, Cath discovers a new type of tree guard. Worth considering for future tree soc use? I'd like to see someone try and strangle one of them.

The phantom tree strangler of Butterley

So, I went up to Butterley to replace some failed trees this morning, putting in 15 Scots Pine and 15 Rowan on a patch we planted with Emma and John Gray. I looked over in the next clough to see how our trees were doing there and discovered a dozen or so trees had had their tubes "strangled". The tubes had been bent, twisted and scrunched, presumably to stop the trees growing out. It is quite a remote spot, and mostly hidden from public view. So someone has deliberately and surreptitiously gone in there and done this. A Twite loving twitcher? Fighting back against the dreaded trees?

Last day of the Season

Stephen, Dave, and a box of scones.

Today was the last day of the planting Season. Myself, Geoff, Philip, Dave, Remy, Duncan (+dog), Peter, Stephen, Hap, Guy and Mandy all went to Pasture Wood above Marsden. Planting the last of the Scots Pine and Alder, plus some Hawthorn. And put taller tubes on some Oaks that had been struggling due to sheep nibbling . Cake was fresh homemade scones with butter and raspberry jam. And it was a fittingly nice and warm sunny morning to end the Season on.

The Senior Section, Ramsay, Brian, Trevor, Peter (and Ben?) went to Meltham Cop to finish up there.

Scammonden and Meltham Cop

Lovely sunny morning with snow still on the ground (and piled up alongside roads). Myself, Philip, Dave, Neil, Jess and Andrew went to Scammonden and planted 120 Oak and Rowan. Had fruit cake, and looked at the Heron's meeting in the trees on the opposite side of the reservoir like they did last year. Trevor, Peter, Dianne and Ben went to Meltham Cop and staked and guarded 200 trees.  Just one more Saturday of planting left? Then a nice rest.

Dave, Andrew, Jess and Neil

Last round at Parkwood

This week we all stuck together and went to Parkwood to plant some Woodland Trust trees. This had been planned for last weekend with Lindley Infant school,  but the big blizzard put the kibosh on that. And the fact that it was Easter Weekend meant we had far fewer participants from Lindley School than usual. They missed a lovely morning, and homemade Easter nest chocolate cakes. We were myself, Philip, Dave, Rob, Richard, Geoff, Dianne, Jess, Trevor, Peter, Andrew, Yolande and friend (sorry, didn't get name). We planted approx. 400 trees.

Plenty of cakes left to eat in the pub, where the conversation ranged widely from Quidditch rules to lost woolly hats and electrocution.

Hedges, Pines, and Shelter belts

Eating cake and admiring our handiwork. Remy, me, Hap and Cath.

A three team effort today. One set - myself, Geoff, Cath, Remy and Hap- went to West Slaithwaite and planted a 200 tree hedge, plus 60 other assorted trees. Philip, Dave, Andrew, Peter and Guy were at Pasture Wood and planted 150 Scots Pine. And the Senior Section were again at Meltham Cop. So all in all a lot got done. A select but grateful few made it back to the Sair for 1pm. Two or three more weeks and we will be done for the season. Cake was the ever popular flapjack with fruity filling.

And thanks again to Tara and family for a very generous donation to Society funds.

Cath, hedge, trees.

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

Cop Hill with Scouts

The Cop Hill plantation was planted some 16 years ago. A very difficult site, very high up and a former tip area. Initial planting struggled but subsequent planting of Italian alder has resulted in a decent copse. Last Saturday Huddersfield North Scout leaders were on a training weekend camping in the nearby Scout wood at the top of Merrydale. Guy and Phillip gave an introduction and trained on the maintenance / mangement of the copse which included planting an additional 15 Italian Alder. Tree guards and stakes were removed, the oaks were formatively pruned  and any larch that were shading the oaks had the shading branches removed. About 16 workers including Guy, Phillip and myself completed the maintenance. It would be great to plant an under storey of holly within the copse to secure the site. Duncan.

500 tree challenge! Surpassed!

These people planted 550 trees today. Photo by Duncan.

Today we were at Parkwood, Golcar, and I'd set an informal, and quite optimistic, target of 500 trees to plant. We did about 550! Well done everybody. We were: Philip, myself, Remy, Duncan (and Harvey the dog), Trevor, Peter, Stephen, Brian, Peter, Hap, Andrew, Dave, Geoff, Dianne, Ramsay, Pierre-Alexandre, Maxime, Claudine, Edouard, and Rob. We planted 255 Downy Birch, 240 Hornbeam, and around 70 Willow. Cake was a nice seed-laden flapjack. Things got a bit loud in the Sair later as our several retired teachers railed against the state of state education.

Maxime hard at work planting, while Philip and Andrew idly chat.

Planting trees and chasing sheep

Dave's strange animal hat has been with us for many years.

First, lets get the statistics out of the way.
Friday, Dave took 140 stakes and 120 deer guards to Parkwood.
Saturday, Richard took 270 stakes and 180 deer guards to Parkwood.
Saturday, Brian took 120 stakes and 120 deer guards to Parkwood. And 150 Lime trees.
After Saturday's planting there were 185 Alder and 365 Scots Pine left at Pasture Wood.

We were in two crews again. Brian, Trevor, Duncan (and dog), Ramsay, Dianne and Jess went to Parkwood. And planted 100 Lime, guarded another 60 Lime.

Myself, Philip, Dave, Cath, Geoff, Remy and Stephen went to Pasture Wood, where we planted an unknown number of Scots Pine. The reason we were not sure how many we got planted was we spent some time removing 9 sheep from the site. Dave acted as shepherd, the rest of us as the dogs. And it worked pretty well. The sheep needed removing, they had been eating some planted but unguarded Scots Pine, and even nibbling Alder which were still in their boxes. Philip thought the sheep had been deliberately put on site after our appearance in the paper two weeks ago, but that may be a little paranoid.

After planting Philip and I went to meet Julie from Friends of Slaithwaite Station to talk about planting for them. We agreed that we would plant around 25 trees, a mix of Hawthorn, Rowan, Oak, Blackthorn and Whitebeam on the grass verge of the car park.

Dianne, Ramsay, Brian, Jess and Trevor at Parkwood

All in all a productive and very enjoyable morning in bright cold sunshine.

Parkwood - more snowy frolics

Planting folk silhouetted against dramatic winter sky.

This week we all went to Parkwood, Golcar, and took 180 deer stakes and guards, and 315 Willow, Alder and Lime with us. It was a lovely morning, once we had negotiated the icy, slushy, roads to get there. We were: myself, Geoff, Philip, Dave, Cath, Remy, Hap, Jess and Stephen. We were joined by landowner Richard and his family. Geoff did some more taping and interviewing for his Tree Society film. Cake was a "superb" ginger cake, which again, in a worrying trend, we finished off in the pub afterwards.

There's snow business, like show business.

Cath, she's laughing, honest.

Today, a few hardy souls (myself, Philip, Geoff, Dave and Cath) ventured up to Pasture Wood and planted just over 100 trees. As you can see, it was a tad snowy, but we were moving around so we didn't get cold. While were up there a man from the Huddersfield Examiner came to visit us, interviewed Philip, took some photos. Famous at last. Then back to the Sair, where we finished off what was left of this week's cake, vegan apple flapjack (vegan apples?), and discussed Geoff's Tree Society film.

Philip, Dave, me and Cath, trying to get ice off tools.

Another tale of two woods

Jess at Pasture Wood

Today we were again at Pasture Wood, Marsden, and Parkwood, Golcar. Similar crews to last week. Myself, Philip, Dave, Chris, Geoff, Ben, Cath, Remy, Jess, Stephen and Peter at Pasture Wood, where we planted another 200 Scots Pine. And Brian, Trevor, Peter and Dianne at Parkwood, where with the help of the landowner and friends they planted 90 Willow and 90 Alder. Cake was the ever popular coconut and cherry "failure cake" (as my mother calls it). A good morning, that again saw the sun come out later on, despite the dire weather warnings. Julia joined us in the Sair, having worked at the Nursery all morning. Both pictures courtesy of Geoff.

The assembled throng in the Sair afterwards

Pasture Wood, Marsden, week 1

Geoff is undoubtedly a much, much, better photographer than me.

Today we returned to Pasture Wood, which is getting 1000 Scots Pine added to it. This site was planted 9 years ago, part funded by the Forestry Commission, and they didn't deem Scots Pine an acceptable tree for the site back then. Since that time, they have revised their guidelines, and it is now ok to plant Scots Pine on the site. The Scots Pine should thrive here, and will act as a nurse species for the existing slow growing trees on site, the Oak and Holly particularly. The trees and materials were delivered yesterday and myself, Guy, Mandy and Julian helped unload and carry all the gear across a field to the planting site. Today we were myself, Geoff, Philip, Dave, Remy, Hap, Chris, Mandy, Guy, Stephen, Peter and Ben. It is a tough, steep site, and we planted around 200 trees. Very windy up there, but the sun came out at the end. Cake was date and walnut. Very nice.

Those who also served: Brian, Peter, Trevor, Dianne and Jess went to Parkwood Golcar, with 75 trees, Common Alder and White Willow. A much flatter site, though very wet underfoot.

Flung far and wide

Stephen and Julia on their way up to Green Hill Clough

This Saturday there were quite a few of us, but we were flung far and wide doing diverse tasks. Myself, Dave and Ben stayed at the nursery and began work on the drying shed extension. Geoff, Stephen and Julia went back to Green Hill Clough to finish planting 35 Oaks (and reported back that there are 43 stakes and 13 guards left on site). Philip, Neil, Cath and Sarah went to High Brow Meltham and planted 60 trees. Brian, Peter, Trevor, Jess and Dianne were at Marsden Golf course pruning trees. Remy and Duncan were sent off to the Golf Course to join up with Brian and crew, but were not heard of again, so we hope they were ok. They were carrying one of the four boxes of chocolate brownies, so may have just gone home and eaten cake.

Green Hill Clough, Marsden

Cath, Andrew, and Philip hard at work.

 

Today we were up above Marsden, with almost a clear view east to Selby. We were planting more trees on a Forestry Commission Woodland grant scheme funded site, in an attempt to bring it up to the necessary standard. We were: Andrew, Philip, Geoff, Cath, Hap, Julia, me, Ben, Stephen, Dave, Duncan and Guy.Because of a mix up on my part we only had 115 trees to plant, which we did, but we were supposed to plant 150 so will have to pop back up there sometime to finish off. Philip, Geoff and I then visited a householder in West Slaithwaite, with a view to planting some hedging and trees for them later in the Season.

Finishing up at Butterley

Trevor and Dianne. You can see previous weeks new
planting in the shade on the opposite side of the clough.

Our last week (for this year) at Butterley, and we planted 136 trees exactly. 16 Oak, 30 Rowan, 15 Hazel and 75 Scots Pine. Trees and stakes guards were again provided by the Woodland Trust and Marsden Cuckoo's nest charity shop. We were: myself, Trevor, Geoff, Remy, Ben, Cath, Jess, Dianne, Dave and Hap. Cake was a very nice apple flapjack, made with the last of the apples from the nursery. Glorious sunny morning, and not too cold at all. Dave did some more pruning work on the Larch in Golf course phase one, and disturbed an owl. We ate more of the cake when we got back to the pub.

(Butterley) Reservoir dogs

Trevor, Duncan and canine friends.

Second week at Butterley Reservoir, planting Woodland Trust Trees with Cuckoo's Nest shop stakes and guards. We planted 120 Birch, Oak and Hawthorn. We were: Remy, Ben, Hap, Trevor, Peter, Stephen, Dianne, Philip, myself and Duncan. Dave was the other side of the reservoir doing formative pruning. Cake was a very nice pecan nut and fruit cake. Late on in the morning we were joined by a pack of errant hounds, we don't know where they came from or where they went, but they were friendly enough while they were with us. Memo to self: 5 trees on site still need deer guards.
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First day of planting of the season

Some of today's trees stakes and guards. Dianne digging. And in the very far top left, some other volunteers on the far side of the clough.

Today we were at Butterley Reservoir for the first day of planting of the Season. We were..myself, Philip, Dave, Duncan, Dianne, Jess, Cath, Geoff, Remy, Hap, Ben and Peter. After some organizational two-ing and fro-ing we settled down to plant on two spots facing each other across the clough. There were some attempts at shouted communication across the divide, but mobile phones worked a bit better. We planted around 150 trees total, and have a similar number left to do next week, but the heavy carrying and stressful organisation is done. Trees were provided by the Woodland Trust, and the stakes and guards used were funded by the Marsden Cuckoo's nest charity shop. Cake was provided by my mother, as usual, and was cherry sponge.

If only all training days were like this...

This morning we were joined by Ben Scotting of Yorwoods, who graciously tutored us in the art of woodland management. We met at Guy Edge, an area of woodland owned by Kirklees, but planted by the Society in the mid 1960's. The trees have been left largely to their own devices since that time, and for the sake of public access and biodiversity they need some attention. We have a management plan agreed with Kirklees, but we needed some professional input into our pruning and thinning activities. We were, myself, Philip, Ben (Godfrey), Stephen, Peter, Dave, Guy, Duncan, Neil and Dan. Ben (Scotting) was a brilliant trainer, with lots of practical advice, but also tons of entertaining tree facts and lore. Between talks we did some path clearing and formative pruning. We will return to Guy Edge several times this winter, and do more of the same. We had homemade Parkin at breaktime, and Mandy made provided us with sandwiches, crisps and biscuits at the end. And the sun shone, and we finished with beer in the Sair. Not a bad way to spend Saturday morning at all.

I just wonder where sleepy, dopey and bashful have disappeared to...

Odd jobs for odd workers.

A last day of odd jobs before the proper Winter's work begins. Remy and I counted out guards and stakes, making sure we have 4 packs of 100 hare guards, and plenty of stakes to go with them. We also checked that we have 180 deer stakes and guards in stock. Philip and Ben made further efforts to tame the brash pile, Philip with chainsaw. Cake was apple cinnamon sponge. Then we went to the Sair and finalised this year's tree order, more or less.

Co-op community fund and nursery work

Today we were visited by Mr John Drewery from the Co-op Community Fund, who presented us with a cheque for £500, to be used to purchase deer guards and stakes. Very welcome, very generous. I used our new roller banner as a photo background for the presentation. For the rest of the morning we pottered around the nursery. Myself and Ann sowed 240 Rowan seeds in root trainer trays. Dave, Ben, Guy, Mandy, Philip and Geoff worked on further reducing the brash pile using the rented wood chipper. Geoff also did some more filming. Cake was homemade "Coffee kisses" a retro 70's-ish biscuit and butter creme combination.

Pennine Prospects Annual Conference

Today I attended the 2012 Pennine Prospects annual conference, hard not to as it was being held right on my doorstep in Marsden Mechanics. Theme of the event was "Natural capital" how to increase and exploit it. I took our new CVTS roller banner, but was annoyed that the RSPB Twite banner was larger. I did manage to speak to Pam Warhurst, chair of the Forestry Commission.

Chipping Saturday

Duncan demonstrates how not to stick ones arm down inside the chipper.

We were Dave, myself, Ben, Duncan and Dan. We spent this sunny morning at the Nursery trimming hedges and trees and feeding the results in to a hired wood chipper. We did this till about 12 when Duncan and Dan went away. Myself Dave and Ben then went and had a shandy (truly, and only one) in the Sair. We went back to the Nursery to do more chipping, but found that the chipper was no longer chipper. The metal bracket holding the belt tensioner had sheared off, metal fatigue. This mean the chipper no longer had the power it had had. So we called it a day. The Nursery did look tidier for our efforts. Due to the failure of the chipper we did not get to attack the brash pile at the bottom of the Nursery.

Dave collects more scratches on his arms gathering Hawthorn.