Nature-takeupthe tree challenge with NorfolkWildlife Trust

Take up the tree challenge

By BenNewton,Habitat ConnectivityOfficeratNorfolk WildlifeTrust

Norfolk WildlifeTrust’s Claylands Wilder Connectionsprojectisworking withcommunitiesand landownersinSouth Norfolkto connectpeoplewithnatureand to improve physicalconnections forwildlifewithinthe landscape. Plantingtreesin hedges or woodlandsis afantasticlegacy forthe future. Treesstorecarbon andact as valuable ‘highways’ to helpwildlifemovethrough the landscape. Whatever thescale of your planting,from atreeinyour garden to awood on afarm,NWT recommend: • Find outwhat youhavealready. Look forexistingwildlife featuressuchasmeadows, pondsand fens.Informationon existinghabitatsis available from NorfolkBiodiversityInformation Service.It’sallabouttheright treein theright place. • Consider thesite’s existing wildlifefeaturesandbuildin newones.Maturewoodlands tendtohaveavariedstructure –rides andglades,pondsand ditches, oldtrees, young trees plusstandingandfallendead trees. Each ofthese providesa home forwildlife. • Select arangeofspeciessuited to yoursoilsanddrainage –lookatwhich trees grow well nearby. With achanging climateinmind, addina few species thatlikes warm,dry conditions,such as hornbeam or small-leavedlime. Fruittrees, likecrabappleor wildpear,will thrive on thewoodlandedges andprovide food forbirdsand pollinatinginsects.Shrubs like hawthornand spindlecan increasediversity. • Varythespacing,withsome trees closely plantedandothers thataremoreopen. • Createmicro-habitatssuch as logpilesasshelter for invertebrates,alongwith bird, batandbeeboxes.Itwillbea longwhilebeforethe young treescansupportthese species, so give them achancefrom the start. • Plan forfuturemanagement. In afew years, woodsmay needthinningifthetreesare crowdedand coppicingof specieslikehazeland willow will providelowcover forsmall birds. Coppicing meanscutting down atreetothe ground and allowingit to regrow. • Bepatient.Theprocessof turninglandintowoodlandis slow,butthewildlifeyou see alongthe wayisworthit!

Avolunteertreeplantingsessionat OldHall Farmin Woodton.

(PicturecreditRichardOsbourne).

Claylands Tree PackGiveaway

NWThas teamedupwiththe Woodland Trusttoofferfreetrees to peoplewithin theClaylandsarea.Anyonecanapply for 50or100nativetrees –communities couldsplitpacksbetweenseverallocations. Formoreinformation:

www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/freetrees