Do you have a spot on land at your home or workplace where you’d like to see trees and more wildlife? If you do, then planting a few naturally grown birch trees could be the way to get there. Birch trees are a pioneer tree which can grow tall but without a dense canopy, creating a new ecosystem where a range of other plant and animal life can thrive. Their open canopy makes them suitable for even small gardens, as other plants below can still get the light that they need. They can be planted to line paths and driveways or used to create a woodland area to attract birds and woodland plants such as bluebells, wood anemones, wood sorrel, and other woodland loving wildlife.
Green Transition Crowborough have been working with the wonderful Sussex coast based Birch Tree Project to provide a local collection hub for birch trees that need to be removed from the Sussex Police site at Kingstanding, as part of their commitment to managing the heathland. The saplings (2-10 years old) will be carefully dug up on Friday 23rd February and will be available for “treecycling” from the car park at Owlsbury Allotments on Saturday 24th February November from 11am – 2.30pm on a first come, first served basis. We suggest a donation of £5 – £10 depending on the size of the tree.
(You may remember this event was supposed to happen in November, but it had to be cancelled because of Storm Ciarán.)
To give your tree the best possible chance of thriving you’ll need to plant them as soon as possible after collection, keep the roots damp for the first couple of years and ideally stake or support them as they grow. Also bring with you a carrier bag for the roots to keep your vehicle clean. For more information and advice click to read the Birch Tree Planting Guide.
With grateful thanks to The Birch Tree Project and Sussex Police for facilitating the rehoming of the trees, and to Crowborough Town Council for making space for us at Owlsbury Allotments.
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