The Roving volunteers were working in the orchard at the Knapp and Papermill last week.
Yesterday we planted four apple replacement trees in the
orchard: two bramley and two Annie Elizabeth (named after Darwin’s daughter) –
the varieties that are there already.
We have lost 2 trees to the storms this year and one was
damaged in last year’s storms by a fallen ash. The 2 windblown apples were good
and solid so we decided to prop them up to provide good quality deadwood for
noble chafers, fungi and invertebrates in general. Upright trees get more
direct sunlight so are warmer and generally less damp than log piles -
providing a different type of deadwood habitat. The trees were secured in place
using plain wire and are attached to fence strainers. They will be monitored
for stability.
James, Central Reserve Officer
