Growing Trees for a Green Future

In a flurry of autumnal activity, the Fingle tree nursery started to grow last year. A deer proof fence went up and a set of raised beds was creatively constructed by the volunteers. A few seedlings were set out and then … how things have changed. It was intended to be a fun and interesting growing project for volunteers to join in with. A chance to learn about the merits of propagating trees and imagining the new wildlife friendly hedges and copses that could be started from seed. There would be opportunities to practice a blend of springtime horticultural skills with autumn seed collection and storage. But these good times have not faded away, they are just on hold, a brief period of woodland torpor.

I’ve never really tried growing elder before, so I’ll collect a batch and, because Fingle is all about providing habitats for different species, I decided to try Scot’s pine too. Tom (the bird surveyor) advised me that the scarce and protected crossbill enjoy these trees as a food source. Their crossed bill is adapted to prising open the scales of the cone and picking out the seed to eat. Scot’s pine is one of those conifers that will have a valuable place in the diverse future of Fingle. Seed stored this autumn will, with green fingers crossed, mean we will welcome the new growth of roots and shoots next spring. That’s where I’m looking forward to - getting back together and sowing some seeds for the future.by Matt Parkins