With the unpredictable weather we’ve had so far this year, with a combination of warmth and wet weather, it has been a good growing season and the trees are establishing well. Of course, the unseasonably strong winds we’ve been having of late could be a problem and cause damage, but the good news is that the winds really help the tree roots to firmly anchor into the soil.
During the ‘Big Dig’ at Dane Valley Green we originally planted 15 wild service trees. There were time constraints, which meant we really didn’t give enough weighting to how exposed the site is. The chequer trees have not fared well as they have not been able to cope with the onslaught of the strong westerly winds that funnel their way across the farm fields. So, TUF are now reviewing the planting and will not be replacing the trees like for like. It makes more sense to replace them with a different species; one that is tough enough to tolerate the harsh conditions.
