a partner church in the WOLDSBURN benefice
CHURCH AT KIRKBURN
Conservation Diary May 2007 - Pat Smith
Winter has been well spent planting trees, clearing ivy, improving the existing woodland plants and generally attempting to create a more diverse habitat. The grass areas have had additional seeding with local meadow species and the shaded areas such as the footpath at the back of the church have been seeded with Yellow Rattle to help control grass growth. This has to be managed carefully because early cutting will kill the plants before they have had time to seed. The footpath used to be sprayed out, but for the last 5 years has been managed to encourage traditional wild plants.
Trees
During winter, the trees lost to honey fungus were replaced with resistant species and a few more planted, quite a few more in fact. These are mostly native trees except for Horse Chestnut and a couple of Turkey Oaks. Turkey Oaks are resistant to the fungus and they prefer our chalky soils.
All in all over 100 trees and shrubs have been planted - A mixture of Wild Cherry, Rowan, Beech, Hornbeam, Field Maple, Lime, Wild Crab Apple, Willow, Ash, Wych Elm, Turkey Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Horse Chestnut, Blackthorn, Privet, Viburnam and a few more. Most seem to be doing well with the help of some frantic watering during this last dry spell.
Woodland Plants
New trees growing well May 2007
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