A turnout of 13 volunteers was a good number for the tree planting that was our job for the day. This was a new site for us and a change to the previously planned task, which had been to go to Kirkstead, near Woodhall Spa. Our host was Lucy and we were helping her and her charity Wild Things Rescue, who have recently leased this 6 acre site. The plan for the field is for it to be a space to keep rescued wild animals.

Amongst today’s group we were fortunate to have Nick, who very clearly gave us all some expert instruction as to the finer points of planting trees: type of hole to create, depth of planting, heeling in etc.  After his briefing we set to in twos and threes and began getting the plug plants into the ground. We were planting the new trees a few metres in from the existing hedge that bordered the site, to eventually make a nice thick hedge line and wildlife corridor. This will also provide good stock proofing to keep animals securely within the field.

We had some lovely spells of sunshine throughout the day, which were most welcome. That combined with the leisurely pace of our work and all working quite closely together made for a very sociable and a thoroughly enjoyable time. I believe the tally was around 260 trees planted. 
​Jonathan