Planting Native Trees...

I have a lifelong love and connection with trees.  Growing up on the edge of Charnwood Forest, with access to rugged parkland, we ran wild in the Summer, biking and picnicking in this ancient, wooded countryside.


Now I bring my children here (Bradgate Park) to climb the same trees and take in the same views of the deer, reservoir and the ruins. It is a truly magical place.


Here are my family racing over to our favourite tree.  Bradgate Park was home to Lady Jane Grey in the 16th Century and some trees date back to that time.  She was Queen for 9 days and when she lost her head, the trees were topped in sympathy.

Since moving house, we worked hard to restore it and save as many trees as we could. There are damson and greengage trees, a Codling apple tree.  I have added three more apple trees: a cooker, an eater and a crab.


Our garden is surrounded by mixed hedges on all sides.  They offer precious cover for birds and small animals.  I am growing free seeds from The Woodland Trust are Hawthorn seedlings, which we can use in the hedgerow or grow into trees and plant on our plot. I hope they will be around in hundreds of years, just like those in Bradgate Park.

Thank you for reading this post!

Links
The Archers Blog Post on Tree Planting advice from the Woodland Trust
Bradgate Park, Old John and Swithland Woods Information
Charnwood Forest - Wikipedia
Visit Loughborough and Charnwood Forest
Secrets of Bradgate Park
The Woodland Trust - Tree planting advice, trees for free and to buy!

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