Tree Planting at Winkleigh Memorial Playing Fields

On Saturday 1st December a dozen people from the parish of Winkleigh met together to plant native trees given by the Woodland Trust.

Members of Winkleigh Biodiversity Group and Winkleigh Green Drinks joined other volunteers from the community to plant 36 whips (small rooted trees) into slots in the heavy clay soil.

It was a bright sunny frosty morning, so gloves and warm socks were needed and the volunteers kept warm by keeping active.

Families and groups will be invited to get involved in watering and weeding to ensure that these trees grow strong in the next few years.

The trees were quickly planted in the following sites:

14 Rowan trees in a row along the bank by the Tennis Courts

Demonstration of how to plant the whips

Each tree will be protected by a clear plastic rabbit spiral which is supported by a bamboo cane, until it is tall enough.

First row of rowans planted on the bank

Thanks to The Winkleigh Society for funding the canes and to Wheatland Farm for providing the transparent rabbit spirals.
 

7 Oaks and 7 Cherries in a clump on top of "The Mound"

Thanks to Spencer Hodgetts for his photographs

The pack of native trees were given to the community by the Woodland Trust as part of their celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Year 2012.

Vigorous weeds will need to be kept down

 

...and 8 Birch trees to provide shade near the allotments

A number of these trees have also been passed to the Allotments Group so that they can plant them as a windbreak hedge.