The World's End Black Poplar is evidently a rare old pollard, remarkable because it is female and there were only 600 female recorded back in 2012 when my book 'Heritage Trees' (Jon Stokes) was written. This would be the 8th Heritage Tree from this book I am following. Staying at Maidens for Christmas it was… Continue reading World’s End Black Poplar
Category: 2025
Kali’s song by Caroline Way
I once loved a dogOr should I say — this dog loved meWe sat by the fireIsn’t it good in Kaliwood Rachel asks me to stayAnd she says to me —‘I’m glad you’re here’So I sniff around as she rocks in her old wooden chair I sit on my tail — biding my time — her place… Continue reading Kali’s song by Caroline Way
Planting trees in December
Plant before Christmas, Clive advised this summer, the advice of one who has created a woodland (which I contributed 10 maiden hair trees).Cut the meadow for 2-3 years then leave ever wider margins each year for natural regeneration, advised Crispin at the recent Blyth Cluster meeting. It will keep bramble down and give strength to… Continue reading Planting trees in December
Land burial with Wednesday tribe
Uplifting and inspiring it was to be with the Wednesday home ed tribe. They decided the baby muntjac needed a burial, which we did on the land, with an oak tree planted on top. Bobji helped us dig the hole. With two of the children, we planted 12 crab apples to replace some dead trees… Continue reading Land burial with Wednesday tribe
Land planting of Sussex inspired trees
Richard and Rachel's reserve, we called it. A triangle of land between the wood and the circle, dedicated to natural regneration, with a little help from us. It was at Cawdry I first saw the huge leaves of the Swamp Oak Quercus bicolor. We planted 3 Swamp Oak 1 Princess Tree 1 Quercus libani, the… Continue reading Land planting of Sussex inspired trees
Land by Drone
Thanks to Johnny here's a drone shot of the field on a glorious sunshine sunday in November. The first year, with 60% successful saplings growing in those green tubes, grateful for the autumn water and lesser sun. Put your roots down little ones, and one day you will emerge. How will this compare next year… Continue reading Land by Drone
Autumn review and list
After George and I did a survey of Section 7 - the 1,000 sapling trees planted by us volunteers - we found 40% had failed. Since then I've done a survey of section 2, clay land and the following observed and need to replace/order/plant Section 7, 40% failed Section 2, one row of 45, 9… Continue reading Autumn review and list
Plunder and plant Dunwich Birch
Out of the 25 silver birches in the circle, only 2 survived this year of drought. We found some good saplings at a near by woodland, and lifted some, still with their hairs and roots and a nice bit of moist moss. With the help of Mini and Bobji, the great diggers, we began the… Continue reading Plunder and plant Dunwich Birch
Richard and kids to the Community garden
What pleasure working with others. Together, Richard and I cleared and prepared the garden for it's winter state and a layer of chippings. We tackled first the young hedge planting at the top end, removing the nettles so we could see the hedge condition and replacing a few hornbeam planted earlier this drought year. Then… Continue reading Richard and kids to the Community garden
NCFed Gathering at Weald & Downland, South Downs, Sussex
I'd never been to a 'Gathering' before last year, when I found myself part of the organising team for that years gathering at Wakelyns Agroforestry. I was so inspired by this collective coupe of coppicers (the collective noun suggested by AI), with diverse skills to embrace (I did lime cordage with Fay), conversations rich and… Continue reading NCFed Gathering at Weald & Downland, South Downs, Sussex
Kaliwood 