Larger trees planted are thriving and will grow again this summer. Cal Bailey noted that although there were apple trees full of blossom there were hardly any bees to be seen. Do we need nest boxes for solitary bee species? We spotted three species of butterflies and a few hoverflies.

Everywhere the remains of bindweed hang on the trees and most of our time was spent clearing this as well as laying pieces of carpet round the smaller trees to give them a better chance this year. New growth was already in evidence and we decided that return visit at some time in the summer could be useful in keeping free the smaller trees.

We enjoyed a beautiful morning ‘touching the earth’ in that rejuvenating woodland which is showing so much positive change towards a balanced eco system which is already beginning to clear the air and certainly is becoming a place for restoring the soul.

Mike de Villiers, 30 April 2022