Earthwatch

Planted in November 1996

Species: Alder, Pine, Silver Birch, Rowan, Goat Willow, Oak, Dog Rose

This was the first year we double-planted the alders. Two were planted together - one at the top edge of the trench and one at the bottom edge. All other species were planted one at a time in the middle of the trench.

The Dog Roses were planted at the suggestion of the Bulgarians - a bad idea in hindsight.

A JCB was brought in to dig trenches across the slope prior to the planting. Due to the steep angle of the hillside the JCB tipped over, but luckily no-one was hurt.

Measuring

Year 1:
1997

Year 2:
1998

Year 3:
1999

Year 5:
2001

Year 10:
2006 - The dog roses might have looked pretty in the spring (when no-one was on site), but they made it very difficult to measure the trees.