Trimming the Willow Grove at Turnditch Orchard

 About 10 years ago we planted a willow grove to dry out a wet corner of the Orchard where a historic ditch ran before the embankment was built.  We planted a hybrid willow called Salix Viminalis. It grows fast and tall. We trim the willow to a chest high coppice at the end of some winters to keep it under control. The trimming looks harsh, but it soon regrows.

Dealing with overgrown Blackthorn

 I took some time to start tidying some overgrown blackthorn at the orchard, where it's encroaching the fruit trees. I cut the bushes to leave stumps about 30cm high.  We'll pull them up later with our Extractigator tool, but I wanted to get started before the wildbird nesting season. Here's a video if you'd like to get a feel for the work. Cutting down blackthorn is a hard job as these bushes a laden with thorns, of which the tips are coated with bacteria and fungus that can cause a nasty infected wound. Thorn proof gloves are essential for this work.

Now to tidy the mess!

 We've got some work to do to get the Orchard embankment tidied up.  Don't ask about taking the logs, they are already spoken for by friends.

Ash Dieback works.

 Well, the work to remove the diseased roadside Ash trees has taken place. It took a couple of days for a team of five men to complete the works.  Now the tidying up work has to start.

We had hoped to capture some stunning drone footage of the work in progress, but unfortunately, the weather had other plans!

Our arborist discovered that some of the tree stems were rotten, posing a potential risk to passing traffic. To manage this safely and sustainably, the branches were chipped on-site, and the wood chips were spread across the embankment—this way, we could keep the infected Ash wood contained rather than transporting it elsewhere.

Once we've finished clearing the fallen wood, we'll begin our replanting programme in line with the Forestry Commission's felling licence. The exciting part? We’ll be introducing a mix of native broadleaf species that are resistant to Ash Dieback, ensuring a healthier, more resilient woodland for the future. 

As for the remaining Ash trees, they'll be carefully monitored. If any show significant signs of infection and become a safety risk, they’ll be removed on a case-by-case basis. Our priority is to protect both the environment and the people who enjoy it!

Our thanks to Yeomans Access and Arb for their services. HMRC benefitted by 20% of the bill in the form of VAT on this public safety work. We were not eligible for any grant support.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue our work to restore and rejuvenate this beautiful green space. 🌿✨

No more detectorists

A couple of months ago, I did a favour for a pair of local detectorists, loaning them the key to my Orchard gate so they could carry out some metal detecting. There was no charge, no hassle—just a simple understanding that the key would be returned within a week.

Well, here we are, and the key is still missing. No return, no explanation, nothing. This complete disregard for a basic agreement has not gone unnoticed.

As a result, they’ve ruined it for everyone. I will no longer allow detectorists onto my land, and the padlock will be changed. If people can’t respect simple terms, they won’t get access—end of story.

Let this be a lesson: if you can’t be trusted with something as straightforward as returning a key, you won’t get the privilege again.

Note: 10 Mar 25  I spotted the detectorists, who'd borrowed the key, in a field adjoining the orchard. I was busy at the time, and they made themselves scarce, not taking the opportunity to chat with me.