2,000 tree saplings ready to grow at a Local No Dig Tree Nursery Set Up at Roots Allotments for future rewilding projects in partnership with More Tree’s Banes.

Saving and growing our native local tree species by collecting seeds from ancient forests is a lush activity that helps boost biodiversity as well as bring communities together. By doing this activity we can help preserve the genetic heritage of UK native trees. 

Sadly ancient woodland only covers 2.5% of the UK meaning we have lost a huge amount of diversity and the benefits that come with it. These long established woodlands that are thousands of years old are unique and can be classified as our equivalent to rainforests. They are home to literally thousands of species of complex plants, fungi, insects and other microorganisms.

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That’s why we love what More Trees Banes have done by setting up such a special project to help preserve local tree seed from in and around the BANES area. They go into ancient forests, collect the seeds, stratify (germinate) them at their hub and then help plant them at a range of community run tree nurseries that they have set up with a number of supportive groups in the area. 

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Our lovely Tuckers Meadow community turned up to establish two tree nursery beds that will act as a growing space for locally saved seed. We carried out the setting up of the beds over two days across two weekends where we had a mixture of weather to contend with! 

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The community pulled together to establish two 3m x 10m no-dig tree nursery beds that will have shade netting added once we reach the warmer months. These beds will be able to grow around 2,000 tree saplings that will stay at our Tuckers Meadow site for 2 years being nurtured by our lovely community members. They will then be lifted and distributed to rewilding projects in the BANES area and we will prep the beds with a compost top up then get ready to welcome another group of saplings to be grown on - and the cycle continues! Beautiful.

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In terms of species, we will be growing native trees from seeds that have been collected from ancient and semi-natural local woodlands, veteran trees and hedges. There will be over 30 native species including nut trees like beech, oak, hazel, sweet chestnut or those with berries e.g. blackthorn, dogwood, elder, hawthorn, holly, wild privet….and winged so field maple, hornbeam etc. Check out the species they have planted over the last few years here.

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Our Tuckers Meadow community will collaborate again in April/May to get the saplings in the ground and then start caring for them until they need to be relocated and grow big and strong! ‘’We’re thrilled to be partnering with Roots Allotments on this new nurser”’ - Sandra from More Trees Banes “We’re great fans of their work and a tree nursery on their first allotment site in Bath was an easy decision! We look forward to working with growers and local volunteers to grow lots of native saplings.”

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We have the ambition to set up local tree seed saving nurseries and groups to care for them at each one of our growing communities up and down the country. This will give people the opportunity to contribute towards positive biodiversity projects in their local area and connect with other like minded individuals who want to learn the skills on how to preserve and spread our gorgeous native ancient woodland.