📍 Radstock, England
Highchuch Farm was once of our first large sites, with 11 acres of brand new woodland on an active farm in need of diversification. On the home of the famous Tractor Ted, we planted the side of quite a steep field, and have been back several times to make sure this new woodland gets away successfully.
A dedicated team of 15 volunteers came together for a summer work session. Despite 30-degree heat and extremely dry, cracked ground, the group made steady progress with weed management, strimming around young trees, replacing lost saplings, and adding mulch and guards. The rain arrived late in the afternoon, bringing the day to a close after a productive few hours of maintenance.
The landowner reports that the site is doing well overall, with an estimated 70–75% tree survival rate. Poplars, oaks, hawthorn, and downy birch are all thriving, despite the challenging clay soil and intense weather conditions. The team plans to return later in the year to continue planting and maintenance work to support the young woodland’s resilience.
We recently returned to the site to plant 200 small-leaved lime trees that were missing from the original planting, and to replace around 2,000 saplings that did not survive the exceptionally intense summer heatwave and subsequent drought.
The drought had a severe impact on the heavy clay soil, leaving it deeply cracked, with saplings dangling in the gaps.
To give the new saplings the best possible start, we also used mycorrhizal root dips to promote stronger root growth and help the trees access water more effectively, helping to increase their resilience to future heatwaves.
Help us create and maintain new woodlands, hedgerows and wildflower meadows! We need volunteers to sow seeds, plant saplings, clear invasive plant species and pick up litter. No qualifications necessary; jobs for all ages and abilities. Come and turn climate anxiety into climate action!
Upcoming Events →With government funding for reforestation and rewilding tenuous, we increasingly rely on our amazing community to keep us growing regardless of political shifts. Help Protect Earth continue to restore ecosystems and improve biodiversity across the country:
Help us put down roots! Your donations to our Land Fund let us seize the moment when the perfect piece of land comes up for sale. Every penny helps us secure community woodlands, healthier ecosystems, and a greener future for generations to come.
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