At the invitation of Suffolk Tree Wardens. Met by Gerard from the Parish Council, who now owned the wood for the last 10-15 years, and Peter Holborn, who’d been involved in planting the wood in 1987, the year of the great storm. The useful hard standing on which we parked, was made when they engineered the A14, as this was used then as a works site.
Gallowsfield Wood is a 20 acre (4.2ha) mixed woodland, at Quarries Cross, Haughley just north of the A14.
1987 Amadee Turner, to commemorate 1987 European Year of the Environment and as active member of European Parliament (also involved in formulating the Common Agricultural Project and keen on set aside), suggested lets plant a wood on agricultural land, so began the story. The land was then owned by Suffolk County Council. It came to Parish Council when County began divesting itself of assets to Parishes.
Being an agricultural field 30 years ago, it was a good yard stick for me with my 17 acres of agricultural field, to see how my land may look in 30 years time, when I’d be long dead. Strange to think of people such as myself walking through my land then.
The land was divided into 8 compartments, the field was deep cultivated and harrowed, a deer and rabbit proof fence installed around, the rides were marked out in a network that would provide public access and also allow the extraction of timber and thinnings as the wood matured. In the autumn of 1987 the rides were sown with a grass mixture containing a variety of wildflower species.
First stop a tree in question: an Elm, Japanese elm, Sapppro Autumn Gold, Ulmus ‘Sapporo Autumn Gold’
A row of native Black Poplars, both male and female. Probably planted a bit close to each other. They do not like to competition. Richard gave some background: there are 430 estimated in Suffolk of which 80 female. They are promoted and nurtured by the father of Black Poplars (?Edgar Milne-Redhead), and our own David Appleton who has 130 saplings under his wing. They are no longer reproducing naturally (I did not gather why), so need this helping hand. Need protection from deer, but grow fast.
Narrow rides now widened to 10 meters. Each compartment contains a block of English oak with a matrix of other species, the first with beech as part of future proofing. Fenced all around with Sweet Chestnut stakes which have lasted these 30 years. Mike Fisher was the contractor who planted November 87. Nervous of surface pan of agricultural land, so they did a deep 18″ plough throughout. Business plan devised. 10 years payment. Forestry commission supported. Planted all in one year. Round-up used for 3 years to kill grass around base. Now the advice would be mulch and mulch. Don’t plant more than you can maintain. All in the preparation.
The wood has been thinned twice – original planted 2 meter apart. Oak likes and over-coat but not a top hat.
We walked to an arboretum, where every Suffolk tree represented. Fashion for planting wild cherry. Learned about the Midland hawthorn. Wild Pear. Wild Service Tree (very sycamore/maple like leaf), small leafed lime.
Saw more epicornic growth on oak, – so much this year. (Good definition here: growth of new shoots from epicormic buds that lie dormant beneath the bark. This growth is normally suppressed by hormones from active shoots higher up the tree, but when there is trauma from factors like insect attack, drought or fire these buds are activated.)
Nice hedge laying at the end along the boundaries.
I met a couple who’d recognised me from when Suffolk Tree Wardens came to my wood all those years ago (2018?). Janise and ? , who’d felt inspired by the cabin, and were now building their own round house. Feels sweet this circling, as we continue on our journeys.
I learned from this venture, in particular:
– The planning is fundamental (get on with it!)
– Keep rides generous in width
– Graduation from edge of ride to standard trees, ie hazel to coppice edges.
– Two different hawthorn types (there are no doubt more)
– The beauty of the Wild Service Tree.
Below are the helpful notes of Gallows Wood provided.
Kaliwood 