Cariad

Planted in November 2003

Species: Oak, Alder, (Birch accidental or self-seeded)

Nine hundred alders and oaks planted in a latin square formation. The plot was divided into a three-by-three grid, with 100 trees and a different planting method (notch, pit, trench) in each row/column. This was so we could eliminate the effect where trees in the centre grew better because they had more shelter.

Measuring

Year 1:
2004

Year 2:
2005

Year 3:
2006 - Many of the notch-planted trees had perished, but most of the trench-planted ones had survived.

Year 5:
2008 - It is very clear that the trench-planted trees have done much better than the pit-planted ones, which in turn did better than the notch-planted trees.

The plot was measured again in 2010 after 7 years growth.

Year 10:
2013 - This plot continues to struggle when compared with Pan-Titania-Eirwen and the later plots on the steep slope in the lower field. This is possibly due to Cariad's exposed position, high on the hill with little protection from the wind.

Other comments:
2023 - 20 year measurement. The final measurements on the entire site, ably assisted by folk from Stump up for Trees.
The plot remains less dense and less vigorous than Pan, Titania, Eirwen, Sheila and Earthwatch/Syrinx but the trial of which planting method is most successful is clearly trench planting.