Benedicte, a past volunteer from Denmark in her own words:
The Tree Nursery August-December 2013
August
Arrived at the tree nursery and got the responsibility for watering, hoping I’ll be able to keep the wee trees alive in this heat… . We’re starting to collect seeds and went to Murlough Bay for Downy Birch. It was so nice!
We’re continuing the seed-collection, cherries and in particular Gorse.
As well we’re doing a bit of weeding, which is so nice in the sunny weather.
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| Polytunnel 1. |
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| Polytunnel 2. |
September
I’ve got to know almost all the species here. They’re all native and with very different, and sometimes not, looks (and leaves).
October
The big green weekend in Belfast with a beautiful seed display. Also, we finally had the chance to see Clandeboye Estate, and had a tour around the garden for more than three hours, amazing.
November – December
Grading trees and planting birches. Grading a lot of different species of trees; it makes some trees more appealing than others… . My favorites became Rowan and Birch, because they’re so nice to bundle, while blackthorn is a struggle with no end in sight. While grading them, you might at some point just want to drown the tree in “the boat” (filled with water, and used for putting the trees in). Of course you resist and let yourself calm down to the amazingly amount of birds singing. Just incredible, keeping in mind that it’s late autumn.
We’re doing some debunching of Hawthorn, there seems to be an endless crop this year. It’s a very relaxing task and great for rainy days.
We’re learning about fibrous roots etc. and digging trenches.
And the orders have started, so now we’re making up a lot them. Quite nice job and it’s making me fairly good at recognizing the trees without leaves. Especially the willows are challenging.
We’re making willow-pegs and cleaning soil to plant the acorns in. Hoping not to many will be eaten by the various animals.. Nearly no watering as the temperature is getting colder.
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| Gorse plugs in Polytunnel 2. |