Tree planting with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust in Bishopdale

What fun Joanne and I had last Saturday morning in Bishopdale, it was a free event organised by the YDMT and part of this year’s Flowers of the Dales Festival. Essential work in practical conservation and couldn’t be done without all the volunteers who come and spend some time planting native broadleaved trees in our glorious Yorkshire Dales. This particular tree planting event was in Bishopdale helping to expand an already existing area of woodland for wildlife and for future generations to enjoy too!

We planted rowan, alder, willow, wild cherry and birch, although Joanne and I weren’t knowledgeable enough to tell the difference as we planted but no matter, when they have grown up a little we will! All the tools needed for the job were provided we just needed to provide the enthusiasm and a few hours of our time. It wasn’t difficult and by no means hard work but there was a great camaraderie within the group and chatting and laughter was always to be heard.

This particular day thirty volunteers arrived and together we planted 350 trees! Joanne being the competitive one thought we must have planted more than anyone else having achieved a total of 15 trees planted between us. I made no comment, just nodded agreement, anything for a quiet life but we may have planted the  most! We’ll look forward to the next tree planting event, probably won’t be until the later end of the year now though.

There is a footpath that runs directly alongside this little plantation and we’ll be checking up on our plantings for many years to come I’m sure.