Treewell Farm Tree Avenue
Written by: Meghan Kempson
The avenue which is registered park land (forming the original approach to historic Moggerhanger Park, formerly designed by Humphrey Repton) was in a very poor state. A number of trees needed to be removed (dead trees due to Elm disease) which would hopefully then open the light in the woodland and help other wildlife and trees flourish.
Achievements
All dead trees removed and chipping laid on the floor of the woodland. We were able to sell the dead wood to locals who donated the proceeds to Moggerhanger Hospice, a local charity.
Benefits to People
We were able to donate money to the local community (Moggerhanger hospice) using the money received from selling the dead wood. Our community farm has benefitted as the health and safety of our farmers have improved (less likely a dead tree will fall onto the avenue which is the direct way through to the community farm). We have increased awareness on social media telling followers the history of the avenue and the Greensand Country Partnership and the work it does.
Benefits to Heritage & Landscape
We will carry on maintaining and have hired a wood chipper to chip more dead wood (branches etc) on the ground of the woodland (which has happened over the winter). We will also lay wild flowers.
The landscape is in much better condition and we are hoping more trees will survive moving forward and more plants etc due to access to sunlight etc.
Challenges & Lessons Learnt
One challenge was we were unable to carry out the project straight away due to bird nesting season. We had to communicate this to stakeholders and explain the delay.
We would have marked more clearly the trees that needed to be removed. The tree coding system proposed by the tree survey was confusing (some trees were marked which were not dead).