New fields, new woods

 

Autumn is the season for hedges and planting trees in the farm calendar (among many other things), so in between dealing with sheep and cattle, we've been hacking on with the new fences, laying hedges, coppicing and filling in gaps, both here and at Farmer Rob's gaff. This year we had a Woods for Water grant, with the aim of increasing tree cover and protecting the stream from hoofed paddlers - both elements improving the quality of the water that makes its way into the Mole, with the added benefit of being a tiny part of the government's goal to plant millions of trees. Our agreement split our large (and imaginatively named) Over The Road field into two, with the goyle and stream being fenced off and 400 trees planted in the stock-proof interior, with a second block of 200 or so saplings on the hillside, again protected from nibbling, both by fencing and tree-guards (pesky rabbits and deer). At the same time, we also split a second large field (Below The Farmhouse) into two (Far Hill and Burch Lane ), giving us five fields on the lower side of the road for stock rotation. As well as fences and new gates, we've installed water troughs and replanted some of the barer parts of old hedges ... and even saw a kingfisher on the stream while chain-sawing! As an added bonus to wildlife, we're creating lots of small leaky dams in the stream to slow the water and make more permanent water features. While faffing with logs, a dragonfly came and landed on my construction, I guess giving her seal of approval.

Looking up the hill - before we started.

En route - digger and dogs.

Fences, trees and dams in place.

We did have some "help".

Farther up the valley.

Dams in place.

More "help".

Ned wisely keeps his own counsel.

Introducing Goyle Wood, Cross Field (left) and Sonny's Side (right) ...

... and back down the valley, Rabbity Wood.

This tree planting game is a long one, but we should see a big difference in ten years. In the meantime, a few more photos of dog shenanigans.

While coppicing at Farmer Rob's, on the other side of the field Scout, Harry and Flossie have a Mexican Standoff.

 

Genuinely, I have no comment.

Guess who are seriously dischuffed about being relegated to the trailer.