Fastest Tree-Planters in the West

We had a reputation to live up to today.  Not only were we leading the field according to the Earth Trust arborometer, but a newcomer had joined us on the strength of what a friend had told her about how wonderful it is at Green Gym. 

“It’s such fun!” was the promise held out to our new recruit.  Effective too: when it comes to tree-planting rates, Wallingford Green Gym is the fastest of all the local conservation/ community groups which have joined in the current phase of the ‘River of Life’ project.  I hope we also provide quality as well as quantity when it comes to sticking little saplings in the ground.  A site-warden can get madder than a wet hen if tree-planting is not done precisely to spec.

So no pressure for our Xmas Special at the spot which will be, when all is done, a wet-woodland site:

Note the stakes 2.5 m apart.  The spacing is calculated so that growing trees will soon form a canopy which inhibits the growth of grass (which would have to be mown) or invasive scrub (which would have to be taken out):

The ponds really were that colour when viewed from above: a deep frost overnight had neatly topped them with a layer of ice.  (Which might have supported the weight of the ducks if they had made a return visit, but would not have taken the load of a human.)

There was also ice in the form of high-level cloud to admire:

These, we thought, were cirrus – that’s at least 20,000’ up in the air.

The other remarkable sight was well camouflaged among the trees on the opposite bank of the Thames:

Yes, that really is a boat.  Two years ago, it was in the river.  Then floods came, the vessel was deposited on land, and the owner has apparently not come to claim it back.

As for the tree planting, well it was essentially the same as last time.  Still using the slot-planting technique, but this time with us split into teams of three: one team digging holes; another planting; and another positioning stakes ready for the next tree-planting gang on site.  Below is, I believe, is a volunteer re-assigned from slot-digging to stake-securing – although it might appear from the photograph that he is about either to brain or to knight his colleague:

This time there were also different species of tree to plant.  The range today was alder, crack willow, black poplar, and volunteer’s choice from a range of scrub.  And the ratio to be remember was 5:3:2:1.  (Tree planting isn’t all just digging holes and posting treelings!)

Indeed tree planting done well seems to be a task with a high job-satisfaction rating.  After our previous session on this task, one volunteer spontaneously produced this testimonial:

“I must say how much I enjoyed the tree planting this week, giving a great feeling of leaving a legacy for future people to enjoy.”

Green-Gymmers can, of course, also be incentivised by more immediate rewards, such as the spread at tea-break:

The tea-crate fairy saw to it that other, not quite so photogenic festive gastronomic treats were also on hand.  (Thank you, Victoria!)  Then there were the chocolates.  (Many happy returns, Helen!)  And finally, the small matter of workers being paid as they left the site, in gold coins no less (thank you, Janet!) – but only chocolate ones.

And the verdict from our newcomer at session end?  Green Gym had been every bit as good as she had been led to believe!