The Big Tree Society have been growing trees from seeds collected locally for many years. It’s a tricky business and we’ve just relied on good advice from tree growing friends, reading up on it and frankly lots of luck. We want to improve our growing technique and expand the physical growing nursery area to bring on lots of new stock. The trees will either be used in our own Future Furniture woodland, Wooplaw Community Woodland or given away to community or individual projects. It will get more trees planted in the area.
Forestry and Land Scotland (previously Forestry Commission) have just been told they are to receive massive cuts in their budgets for 2024 onwards. So, no doubt that means fewer planting grants and fewer trees and hedgerows in the ground. We thought that we had better try and plug the gap at a local level by some direct contribution.
Working with Lothian Estates Forestry Dept we want to supplement the local environment around Harestanes with appropriate hardwoods. We would like to help increase biodiversity, add to the existing wooded landscape round Harestanes and make our area an even nicer place to live in and enjoy. We are not for profit and are doing this because we think it is the right thing to do. All this work will be undertaken on a voluntary basis and training will be given wherever appropriate.
There are various ways Big Tree Society friends and others could help. One way is to come along to our growing site at Harestanes, near Jedburgh and get directly involved on a regular basis. There are a variety of jobs that need doing all year round and some seasonal. You don't need any tree growing or gardening experience. In addition to creating a young tree nursery, we will need hands to collect and process tree seeds. Collecting and releasing the seeds out of the berry, pod, fruit etc can be a great family or group activity.
We have 2000 small native trees ready to plant out in the next coming months and we will have many other planting and growing opportunities here at the Future Furniture nursery site and other local projects. We’ve got a polytunnel up already, the beginnings of a huge composting system, our willow beds need cutting and more planted, we’ve got a hedge to be laid and hazel to be coppiced and two allotments to be knocked into shape. We’ve got a water collection system to be built into a new covered work area that needs building, so there’s plenty there to pick and mix from and will suit all ages and abilities. This site specific, supervised work will be undertaken during weekdays and at weekends.
If you'd like to learn a bit more about our plans and think you might like to contribute and / or get practically involved in this exciting project we would really like to hear from you ! If it's not for you or you're already committed to other projects, please pass this on to someone who may be interested. Please get in touch via email at [email protected] Thanks !