Bridge Farm, Snitterby, 7th December 2008
This task was at the organic farm on the banks of the river Ancholme near
Snitterby. Seven of us turned out on a cold, crisp and sunny day to help
plant a range of trees that will be used for basket making and other
traditional crafts. Hopefully, the trees will also provide a nice
habitat for the diverse range of wildlife that thrive in this remote area.
Alison, who was planning the tree planting and also hoping to reap the
benefits of the trees when grown, provided us with several types of willow
as well as alder and hazel. We set about pushing back the grass in the
field and planting the trees. Initially, I thought this wouldn't take
very long, but willow can grow from small sticks, so when Alison started
cutting all the willows into foot long sticks, I realised we would be there
a while.
Fortunately the ground was very soft, despite the hard frost.
Waterlogged would be a better description, but this would be ideal for the
willow. The sticks were pushed into holes made by a thin metal spike
and gradually the new embryonic 'woodland' took shape.
We worked through until almost 2pm with a short tea break and then went for
a lunch of homemade soup and Lincolnshire cheeses, some of these also home
made. We then returned to finish off the planting and stake up some of
the alders as well as marking out the area to prevent anyone accidentally
trampling the sticks. We completed the task just as the sun hit the
horizon.
Julian
