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A stupidly rainy morning, but small and intrepid bands of all star volunteers did sterling work.
Myself, Kayleigh, Matthew, Michael, and landowners Neil and Sarah cleared 4 big bags of old guards from their small field in Marsden.
A similarly starry line up at Scammonden comprised Geoff, Peter, Cath, Sophie, Steve G, Steve G2, Alastair and Jared.
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| Scammonden group |
This Saturday AM Geoff was back removing plastic at Scammonden, with Tanya, Richard, Alastair, Jared, Lee, Sophie and Steve G2 (two Steves is one thing, we now have two Steve Gs).
We were finishing removing the plastic from Jolly's field in Marsden, myself, Dave, Matthew, Murray, and for a while, Kayleigh. Got 32 deer stakes, 50 short guards, and 25 deer guards for re-use.
Its a very low key Cuckoo festival day in Marsden today.
Some of us were in Marsden reclaiming 150+ long tree tubes and 75+ stakes from a planting done about 8 years ago. Plus one bag of trash guards that were either too small or too damaged to re-use. We were: myself, Paul, Matthew, Sarah, Kayleigh, Murray, and Julia.
Geoff led a group at Scammonden, comprising himself, Jess, Lee, Tanya and Shelley. Their bird of the day was the willow warbler, nice pic by Jess.
We were: myself, Philip, Kayleigh, Paul, and Julia.
Plus Geoff, Richard, Dave, Cath, Jess and Lee were at Scammonden collecting and bagging up more guards.
Up to Wessenden Lodge this morning to re-guard a bunch of trees that were collateral damage during the great rhododendron removal campaign. Myself Dave and Stephen wondered around on the stricken hillside tending to the survivors.
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| Sarah and Michael in the snow |
This morning we were up Wessenden, retrieving and tidying tree guards on previous plantings.
Weather was supposed to be sunny spells in the morning turning to wintery showers in the afternoon. It was the opposite. Steady snow all morning, and now you need factor 50 in the back yard!!!
Still the young and the foolish carried on. We were: myself, Philip, Paul, Laura, Shaun, Kayleigh, Sarah, Murray, and Peter.
On the way back down we encountered a near full set of emergency services who had turned out for a crashed mountain biker. Helicopter, ambulance and a dozen mountain rescuers. He'd only been riding down the (drive-able) Wessenden track. Still, hope he is ok.
Meanwhile, Geoff, Steve, Jess, Lee, Tanya and Richard were at Scammonden removing guards. Though it was apparently a bit more sheltered there.
Nice bass line Bass.
Today, Hap, Geoff and Dave went down the track at Scammonden and retrieved 100 deer stakes for re-use. They also did a litter pick along the way, and spoke to a Yorkshire Water Ranger. Had a discussion with her about the piles of tree guards, and how we are talking to Yorkshire Water about their disposal.
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| No oaks here. |
A reduced team this week, at Longwood Edge helping New College to plant some trees that they acquired.
We were: Jess, Lee, Laura, Kayleigh, Michael, Dave, Peter, John H., Richard, Jared, Alastair, Julia, Jon, Tessie, and myself - plus Sarah and her colleagues from New college.
Not many trees, so the work got done quickly with an early finish.
We planted 45 downy birch, 45 oak, 30 goat willow, 30 hazel, 30 rowan, 15 elder, 30 blackthorn, 15 hawthorn and 15 dog rose.
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| Clouds, sunshine, blue sky, hail, and vividly wet vegetation. |
Our official last day of the planting season, the last of our own trees for this year.
We were up high, Netherwood, Marsden, in the wind, rain, sleet, sunshine and hail. A strange day. But still convivial.
We were: Sophie, Geoff, Dave, Matthew, Stephen, Ben, Julia, Kayleigh, Tanya, Shelley, Jon, Richard, John H., Paul, Hap, Philip, Jess, Lee, Jared, Alastair, and myself.
We planted 240 trees, oak, rowan and crab apple.
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| Industrious chap that Jared. |
This week we were in two groups. Both groups had great views of the valley.
One group was at New Hey up west of Marsden. We were: myself, Dave, Hap, Julia, Shelley, Jess, Lee, Kayleigh, Paul, Jared, Alastair, Jon, and birthday girl Tessie! We planted: 50 blackthorn, 25 crab apple, 25 dogwood, 6 rowan, 25 dog rose, 10 elder, 100 hawthorn, and 25 hazel
The other team were up above Spring St. Slaithwaite, and were: Geoff, Matthew, Tanya, Peter, John H., Ben, Kati, Jo, Cath, Oscar, Stephen, John F., and Max. They planted, 115 sessile oak 35 rowan, 100 downy birch, 25 grey willow.
For someone of my generation, there really is only one birthday tune.
I think I'll go watch Gregory's girl again...
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| How does a toad get to have golden eyes? |
Today we were up above Slaithwaite. The ground was dry and the sun shone.
We were: Ben, myself, Geoff, Philip, Dave, Kayleigh, Laura, Sophie, Tanya, Paul, John F., John H., Jon, Tessie, Shelley, Jo, Peter, Stephen, Steve, Alastair, Jared, Matthew, Murray, Michael, Cath, Hap, Julia, Anna, plus our hosts James, Eric and Evie.
We planted 115 hawthorn, 80 dog rose, 50 blackthorn, 15 elder, 25 hazel, 25 alder, 25 small leaved lime, 10 field maple, 50 wild cherry
Not the Tina Turner song, but the music from the opening of the Nintendo 64 game, which is best played loud.
Philip, Stephen, Hap, Oscar, John H., and Dave spent the morning in Marsden felling some large larch which were planted as nurse species, and were now shading out the other trees. Larch is of limited value as a firewood, so everything was left on site as habitat material.
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| Everyone got very muddy! |
This morning most of us were at a site near bolster moor. Planting a hedge and strip of trees in a very, very wet field.
We were: myself, Laura, Kayleigh, Shelley, Jo, Kati, Ben, Geoff, Peter, Richard, Cath, Max, Jon, Tessie, Sophie, John F., Arthur, Matthew, Alastair, Jared, Paul, Murray, and Jake.
We planted 25 hawthorn, 25 blackthorn, 50 dog rose, 50 dogwood, 25 oak, 100 alder, 25 downy birch, and 25 willow.
A random act of kindness from a passing stranger. A lady gave us two packets of Bolster Moor Farm shop biscuits, as a reward for our work.
And the field owners also plied us with goodies too, more biscuits and homemade cupcakes.
We had banned snack sharing, but so we could enjoy these kindnesses I slathered my hands with hand sanitizer several times while handing the stuff out.
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| Jess, Lee and Geoff, throwing gang signs? |
Hats off to the other half of the mornings activity. A select few made it to Scammonden and deserve a big shout out: Jess, Lee, Geoff and Hap. A couple of others made it partway, Michael and Peter. Some stakes were gathered and left for later collection.
CVTS, harder than you think.
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| Them cows got attitude |
Small group of us at Hey Laithe to do some light woodland management. Wasn't so cold once you were working. We were: myself, Philip, Stephen, John H., Oscar, Julia, Matthew and Kayleigh.
On the way across a field going home we were charged by some attitudinous cows. They pulled up just before they got to us, and then pretended they were cool. But cows can kill you if they want to. We also saw some walkers with tankards.
The mighty Steely Dan.
What kind of lunatic does this on a Saturday morning? Assaulted by heavy rain and sleet from above, and mud and water from below.
Our stoic and heroic crew were: Sophie, Michael, myself, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Hap, Stephen, Laura, Kayleigh, Oscar, Steve, Darren, Jared, Alastair, Cath, Peter, Duncan, Matthew, Julia, and Remy.
We planted 150 downy birch, 25 wild cherry, 25 bird cherry, 35 rowan, 15 crab apple, 15 hazel, 65 sessile oak and 50 scots pine. Which was quite an achievement in the prevailing conditions.
Back in Marsden to finish planting at this site. Snowed again. Seems to snow every Saturday.
We were: Kayleigh, Jo, Sophie, Cath, Hap, Philip, myself, Paul, Kayleigh, Oscar, Jared, Alastair, Julia, Matthew, Peter, John H., Stephen, Jon, Tessie, Steve, and our host Yogi.
We planted a pretty epic 115 sessile oak, 100 downy birch, 60 rowan, 25 bird cherry, 50 wild cherry, and 25 aspen. And left 25 dogwood behind for later planting.
Hard work. But done.
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| Sophie and Jo enjoying the weather |
Another Saturday of two halves.
Some of us were at Marsden planting 100 Hawthorn, 100 Blackthorn, and 50 Scots Pine. We were: myself, Matthew, Kayleigh, Sophie, Joe, Tom, Oscar, Remy, Dave, Tanya, Michael, Jake, Kayleigh, Jon and Tessie, Paul, Peter, Julia, Alastair and Jared
Others were at Meltham planting 50 Sessile Oak, 100 hawthorn, 50 dog rose, 15 blackthorn, 15 crab apple, 15 hazel H They were:Philip, Stephen, Ben, Hap, John H., Darren, Cath and Geoff.
An old punk song. A cryptic clue for fun in the snow?
Back to Meltham. And on a Sunday, a decision made based on how long it would take all the ice to melt.
We planted a further 30 sessile oak, 75 pedunculate oak, 50 scots pine, 15 crab apple 15 hazel, 50 common alder, 15 goat willow and 15 grey willow.
We were: myself, Hap, Philip, Stephen, Remy, Murray, Kayleigh, Jon and Tessie, Dave, Peter, John H., Sophie, Steve, and Ben. Plus our hosts Heath, Harry and Sam.
We need to return to plant a short length of hedge and 50 remaining pedunculate oak.
No photo this week, I was busy making up mesh guards for the pines.
And there is only one song for a Sunday morning...
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| Hap and Philip arriving, in glorious sunshine. |
A trip out of the valley, to Meltham today. In the ice and snow.
We were: Geoff, Dave, Hap, Peter, Philip, Darren, Stephen, Steve, Murray, Alastair, Jared, myself, Kayleigh, John H., Ben, and Michael. Plus Heath and his two sons.
We aimed to plant 275 trees, 60 sessile oak, 50 hazel, 25 wild cherry, 25 bird cherry, 35 rowan, and 50 scots pine.
The ice and snow cause a bit of fun at going home time. With a treacherous slope down from the parking spot, some manual snow clearance and a handy tow from Heath's land rover were needed.
I was last man out, and my little car needed no assistance.
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Some tasks we planned just won't accommodate 30+ people. And we can't just magic up more trees and bigger sites. Happily we do have some larger sites to occupy us for the next few weeks. Hopefully our increased membership is long term, and we can plan for next year accordingly.
This Saturday a reduced group met to plant 150 hawthorn and hazel on an old site, where we were asked to clear some larger trees last year. 150 might sound a lot, but with 13 adults and 2 children we still finished very early.
We were: myself, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Sophie and Arthur, Jon and Tess, John, Cath, Jess, Lee, Hap, Kayleigh, Peter, and Tanya.
A rampantly successful morning, finishing at this Marsden site. 600 trees got planted, which might be a proper record for proper trees and not hedging. 50 scots pine, 75 rowan, 75 aspen, 75 Willow, 75 alder, 50 silver birch, 25 hawthorn, 25 gorse, 25 crab apple, 25 elder , 50 field maple, and 50 hazel.
We were: myself, Dave, Stephen, Connie, Helen, Kayleigh, Laura, Richard G., Hap, Geoff, Philip, Ben, Kati, Cath, Julia and Ben, Tom, Richard P., Peter, John F., John H., Jo, Michael, Jake, Matthew, Dianne, Jess, Lee, Sophie, Tania, and Jared. And Ben the photographer.
This weeks tune is an absolute, unquestionable, belter. 100% guaranteed to make you feel more Christmassy.
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| Yeah! |
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| That Mr. Carter was in a mischievous mood this morning. |
Back to the same site as last week, but I am avoiding the obvious Smiths song and trying to stick with Christmas tunes.
It was cold wet and dreary, but we still planted 530 trees. I think that was our most impressive effort so far this season
We were: myself, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Tanya, Tania, Jared, Emma, Connie, Helen, Kayleigh, Jess, Lee, Dianne, Peter, Richard, Max, Sue, Jon, Tessie, John H., Hap, Remy, Matthew, Michael, Stephen, Cath, and Ben.
Trees planted were: 75 downy birch, 75 hawthorn, 125 sweet chestnut, 125 pedunculate oak, 50 field maple, 75 bird cherry, and 5 crab apple.
Back to Marsden, to complete some of the areas now that we have our full palette of varieties to work with.
We were: myself, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Max, Tania, Jared, Remy, Michael, Jake, Matthew, John F., John H., Jon plus Holly the dog, Dianne, Jess, Lee, Julia, David, Stephen, Richard, Hap, Sophie, Peter, Laura, Kayleigh, and Ben the photographer (special guest).
We planted 70 dog rose, 85 rowan, 95 downy birch, 25 sweet chestnut, 75 sessile oak, 100 beech and 60 hawthorn.
I am going to try and shoehorn in some Christmas tunes over the next few weeks.
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| Jared working hard |
Back at Marsden, planting 125 small leaved lime, 200 sessile oak, and 50 yew.
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| People take up a lot of space 2m apart (any bunching is household groups) |
I need to go out this week and buy more tools!
We planted: 140 field maple, 30 downy birch, 15 rowan, 50 holly, 75 hazel, 45 crab apple, 50 blackthorn, 15 hawthorn. 420 total.
First day of planting at the season, and an excellent start.
We were: myself, Stephen, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Jess, Lee, Dianne, Michael, Matthew, Jo, Jon and Tessie, Ben, Kati, Alastair and Jared, Helen and Connie, Jake, Peter, Richard, Cath, Remy, and landowner Julia.
We planted 75 holly, 125 hawthorn, 25 hazel, 25 field maple, 25 blackthorn, and 30 dog rose. All but 50 holly were a shelter belt mix for the windward edge of the site. The 50 holly were spaced out in two fields behind, where lots more trees will be going in the next few weeks.
Well done everyone, you are all... my favorite things.
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| Remy stays safe. |
Still waiting for our trees to arrive, so we spent the morning moving 2100 large wooden stakes to our first planting site. And refilling our log store.
Based at the nursery were myself, Adrian, Dianne, Remy and Ben.
At the Marsden site were Geoff, Jess, Lee, Tanya, Michael, Jo, Cath, Peter and Steve. Philip and Stephen were also there but working separately to mark out the fields.
Driving between these two teams were Dave, Richard, and Jon and Tessie.
Duncan and Matthew arrived when the fun was all over!
HSE Covid19 risk assessment for outdoor work done. And followed.
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| Lots of stakes |
Another fractured morning, but very productive..
Stephen, Philip, Hap and Dave were at Throstle. They used the winch for felling a group of 4 ash that had been growing too close to the road. Plus felled two more ash and a leaning larch.
Geoff, Peter, Remy, Cath, Tanya, Ben, and Michael were at the nursery splitting, sawing and stacking wood. And also loading the van with planting materials for our first site.
The van was manned by Duncan and Matthew, wearing masks, who shuttled between the nursery and the planting site at Marsden.
Myself and John, plus later Adrian, Duncan and Matthew unloaded the van at Marsden, and moved all the materials down to some old stables for storage. 2100 deer guards, 100 stakes for pine, 725 stakes for short guards, 250 shrub guards, and 500 Hare guards.
As we were finishing at Marsden, and John and I were walking down the hill, the promised rain arrived in earnest.
Back to Throstle this morning for another session of woodland management. We were: myself, Philip, Stephen, John, Dave and Hap.
Philip's new chain broke, but he managed to chew his way through some trees with an old one.
We thought we might finish today, but looks like another session necessary to remove some dead ash.
Lots of logs now at nursery for cross cutting, splitting, stacking, drying and selling.
This morning was a three-fer.
I assigned myself to the nursery, on the principle that Dave would need help unloading and stacking logs. Sadly this message didn't get through to the chainsaw boys, who spent the morning felling larch and leaving it where it lay. So hardly any logs arrived, and the ones that did were felled on Thursday.
Stephen, Philip, Dave, Hap, Adrian and John were at Throstle Green.
Geoff, Cath, Tanya, Sophie and Jess were at Scammonden deguarding.
Back to Throstle Green Farm for another (short) morning of felling and logging. We were: Stephen, myself, Dave and John. Still work to do on Saturday.
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| Ah, look, Geoff has a little doggie friend. |
Another morning of two halves.
Myself, Philip, Stephen, Hap, Adrian, John and Dave were at Throstle Green Farm to fell some trees growing too close to the roadside. Philip and Stephen had their chainsaws and everyone had full PPE. We had to buy a winch and some cable in order to fell a couple of these safely.
Meanwhile, at Scammonden, Geoff (birthday boy), Jess, Lee ,Sophie, Steve, Jon and Tess were carrying on the reclamation work.
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| One of the expertly felled tall larch. |
Some gentle electronica this week.
Continued work at the same spot at Scammonden as last week then down to the bottom of the hill in a Hap-inspired coda to finish off removing guards from the hawthorn we started on a couple of weeks ago. Weather bright but decidely cold in the brisk northerly, though it warmed up a bit as time wore on, and it was a thoroughly enyoyable morning. Still more guard removal and remedial work to do on the oak and rowan at the top. We were Lee, Jess, Adrian, Hap and Geoff.
Songs a bit random, 5 people, 505 by Arctic monkeys. Hey, I'm not getting any prompts from participants while I am away, so there it is.
Well a game of two halves today, though the first half was very short, for me.
Within the first half hour I managed to gash my leg with a hook-bladed craft knife. A really stupid bit of behaviour, but "accidents" are inevitable, and this was the worst cut we (!) have dealt with. Several of us had first aid kits, and I was securely strapped up by Hap and taken to A&E by Jessica. 8 stitches and a tetanus booster. A cautionary tale for all. I am going to go back to using my much more blunt fixed short blade Mora knife. I won't be able to do myself the same degree of damage with that, hopefully.
We were at Scammonden again removing stakes and guards.
Those remaining carried on working. They were: Geoff, Sue, Adrian, Sophie, Tanya, Hap, and Jess.
Sue loves a wild mushroom, and found a special birch tree mushroom.
Scammonden, again, again. More guard removal and reclamation. This week we were; myself, Tanya, Jess, Sophie, Dave, Ben, Kati, Adrian and Steve. That pile of trash guards is getting big.
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| Dianne, Jon and Sophie, and some guards. |
Back to Scammonden for more guard and stake removal/retrieval. Maybe not as glamorous work as actual tree planting, but important if we are to plant new trees sustainably and responsibly.
Good turnout this morning with; myself, Dianne, Tanya, Jon and Tessie, Adrian, Hap, Geoff, Dave, Sophie, and Steve.
Lots got done and the heavy rain held off until we were back at our cars at the end.
There was some discussion about the various ways of pronouncing "up" by group members (received, estuary, and yorkshire).
Todays blog entry written by Hap. I was at home car-less. The following appears to be laden with old sitcom references, though one has been changed by the blog moderator (me).
Back to Scammonden today where the self appointed SAS section of the CVTS (special arboreal squad) took on the thorny challenge of removing guards from the hawthorn (and the dead ash).. in the words of President Bush "mission accomplished". We were; Dave (squadron leader), Adrian (whose sister Dolly made the sandwiches), Hap (punka wala) and Geoff (aka Wolfie).
And you know those chaps would approve of a bit of Beyonce.
Ben organised some of his Good Gym buddies to move some guards at Scammonden. Good man!
Details on the GoodGym page here:
And a song
This afternoon we took a tour of three woodlands that are owned by Kirklees, but that we planted up years ago, and are in need of some TLC. Myself, Philip and Stephen were joined by Andy Wickham, who is Volunteer Coordinator for Kirklees, and liaises with the various voluntary groups carrying out woodland and parkland management.
With Andy's input we came up with action points for Guy Edge, Royd House Wood, and Woods Avenue Marsden. Once we have written these up we will send them to Andy who will get them approved and we can proceed with the various tasks.
Saw two deer at Woods Avenue. Brazen they were. Nonchalant.
This morning we were at Scammonden, again, but the monotony was lifted by the attendance of Steve!
Altogether we were: myself, Adrian, Jared, Alastair, Geoff, Steve and Philip.
Lots of plastic tubes and stakes were retrieved for re-use or disposal.
Steve was back!!
Back at Scammonden, reclaiming and collecting waste. We were: myself, Geoff, Adrian, Jess, Tanya, Hap, Dave, and Ben.
We saw a Buzzard, which is not an eagle, but a bit like one.