This was a new location to the group. It was the field at the very top of the Freeman’s Yard land. The final aim was to plant disease resistant elm trees close to the boundary of the field. The initial job was to clear a large area of scrub. This was basically unkempt brambles reaching 5-6 feet in height.
Barry’s SUV and trailer. This was the hub centre for the work. Middle Farm fields and Cheriton Wood can be seen in the background.
Tree planting could be carried out at first on the eastern boundary.
This image shows the large area of scrub that has been cleared. This is the southern boundary where the trees are to be planted. In addition, the public footpath can now be realigned into its original route along the boundary. The scrub has affected this which had meant the the path has been pushed to the route shown at the right of this image.
Scrub Clearance
The scrub is removed in vertical slices. The underside is taken out with a brush cutter and a vertical cut can be made in the scrub using a powerful hedge trimmer.
The slices of scrub can now be removed and taken to a bonfire to dispose of the cuttings.
The odd piece is dry which goes rather well.
Tree Planting
A hole is dug and the tree sapling can be trodden into the hole.
To protect the sapling a tube is threaded onto it.
A vertical post is then hammered into the ground alongside the sapling tube which completes the process.
This shows the planting of trees along the southern boundary.
The southern boundary tree line.
Final Thoughts
As can be imagined, there is a great deal of work required and the team stepped up to the plate with many turning up.
Reference Point
As a reference, this is the location on 20th October 2021.
Close to the field edge.
Wider view of western boundary and path to Freemans Yard.
The brambles are established but the encroachment over the field is relatively limited.