Weybread Tree Warden Report January 2022
• Thank you very much to Graham Tibbenham for offering a place for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tree behind the village sign.
A 3-4 year old ‘Weybread origin’ oak tree is available for planting there. The acorn has been collected by Fe Morris from along the footpath beside One Eye Lane on the Weybread Tree Seed Gathering Day in 2018.
Following advice from Kew Gardens, adopted by Suffolk Tree Wardens, it has been repotted into an ‘air pot’ in order to create a stronger root system. In an air pot, holes around the sides of the pot, encourage the roots to grow outwards and downwards and produce a remarkably well developed root system with enhanced future growth for the tree. Trees grown in air pots can be planted any time of the year. I think it would probably be best to plant in this tree in the autumn, because the tree has only been in the air pot for a week and it need time to grow and develop the roots first.
• Many Tree Wardens across Suffolk have joined the ‘Tree Nurses Group.’ It is a Zoom Group with input from Kew Gardens, the councils etc. The aims are to grow very local trees and hedge stock for local distribution. I will attend their next meeting on 27th January.
• I am trialing growing hedge berry plants such as spindle and honeysuckle using the
stratification methods used for growing tree seeds. The aim is to increase local hedgerow biodiversity. If they grow successfully, I will invite members of the parish to take sets of berry plants to add diversity to their hedges.
• Tree wardens are encouraged to record ancient trees – trees over 200 years old – of which there are very few in Weybread, rare trees such as the Black Poplar, and ash dieback resistant trees. Could residents let me know if they think I could have missed any trees?
• Ash Dieback. I am monitoring a large ash which is about 200 years old along footpath 14, from the field owned by Crown. So far, it appears to be free of ash dieback. Do anyone know of healthy ash trees in woodland settings – there is a strong interest in collecting seed from them to raise resistant stock. About 1/3 of Britain’s trees are ash and it is better for our biodiversity to keep them in the landscapes.
Please let me know if I am able to collect seed and file a report on healthy ash trees in
woodland settings on https://livingashproject.org.uk/reportatree/
• Generally it is necessary to get a license from the council to plant trees along highways and I am going for find out what their fees are. Trees and hedges along roads can help prevent flooding, soil erosion and snow drifting and there could be opportunities to establish more hedges with standard trees in Weybread.
• Could residents get in touch if they are interested in learning more about trees and getting involved. For example there are some nearby hedge laying courses coming up which aren’t publicly advertised.
Sally Mittuch, Tel Weybread 586100, weybreadtreewarden@mail.com
Weybread Tree Warden Report – January 21st 2021
Please accept my apologies: Since the March lockdown and up to recently, I have been very pressed for time, with moving my business and taking on new staff. In light of the current restrictions, I have been less involved in tree warden activities than I would have liked although I have remained highly committed.
From this point, I am able to plan some tree projects for 2021/2 and resume my normal levels of activity as permitted by the covid regulations.
What I have been able to do, inline with Covid regulations is to walk the footpaths to gain a better understanding of our tree species and hedge cover, identify trees of interest, to get ideas for projects, gather seeds etc.
Access Issues for Tree Assessment and the Public Enjoyment of Trees
I found several notices at the end of the footpaths, outside Manor Hall Farm, at the end of Watermill Lane and opposite Hill Farm concerning a temporary closure of the bridleway due to an unsafe bridge along Bridleway 5 along the Angles Way -a national footpath.
I have walked the whole route and have not been able to identify any unsafe bridges. The only bridge I encountered looks in good condition and appears from my photograph that was recently driven over a tractor. Where did the report of an unsafe bridge originate?
Foot bridges and bridles bridges are normally the responsibility of the district council, while vehicular bridges are normally the responsibility of the land owner.https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/public-rights-of-way-in-suffolk/rights-and-responsibilities/
Would the parish council kindly clarify whether there is an unsafe bridge along Bridleway 5 – what evidence was provided?
I also note that along Bridleway 5, there are stretches with an electric fence on one or both sides of the bridleway which could deter for horse riders.
As many more people are using the footpaths, landowners could consider downloading this advisory notice to encourage considerate behaviour from the public during the pandemic https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/Roads-and-transport/public-rights-of-way/covid-19-suffolk-public-rights-of-way-notice.pdf
Leaving Fallen Trees and Replanting Nearby
With waterlogged land and high flooding this year along the River Waveney quite a few trees have toppled over. If the tree does not cause a hazard or obstruction, leaving it to rot insitu can provide support to 1/5 of our invertebrate species. It would be ideal to plant replacements in a nearby location to continue to support existing invertebrate species.
Growing Trees Cones – A Winter Project
I added some alder cones and a scott’s pine cone to a mossarium at the beginning of January and they have sprouted already. (see photo on last page) I will grow them on. Anyone can try this – all you need is a large jar and then look up instructions online for setting up a mossarium in a jar online, or email me for instructions on weybreadtreewarden@mail.com
The Woodland Trust still has trees available for community groups for March 2021 delivery
The UK needs to plant millions of trees to help reach the 2050 carbon net-zero target. All of the trees provided by the Woodland Trust are sourced and grown from the UK and Ireland. A typical bundle of 420 trees is sufficient to plant 100m of double row hedging or the area the same as a football pitch. There are also some smaller packs of 30 trees. The trees don’t have to be planted all in one location,
but could help provide hedging for front gardens, fill in gaps along road edges, breaks in existing hedges, or be planted in gardens. Ask me to apply and the trees, upto 60cm tall will be free. I just need permission and grid coordinates.
It would be great if anyone could suggest areas for planting. I am happy to look into how to get permission from highways.
MOREhedges Project
Land owners are being offered 75% of the cost of hedge plants to form new hedges connecting to at least 0.2 hectares of woodland, with the aim of extending wildlife corridors rather than filling gaps. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/large-scale-planting/morehedges-faqs/
