Dry spell puts woodland saplings 'under stress'

Continued dry weather has put saplings planted in a new woodland and wildflower glade under stress with some having died, a conservation charity says.

About 9,500 young trees were put in place along the banks of the River Petteril, at Carlisle, last winter.

Organised by the Eden Valley Rivers Trust, the aim was to restore a floodplain by creating 10 hectares of woodland along a 1km (0.6-mile) stretch of the riverside.

The organisation said the lost saplings would be replaced in the months ahead.

It is hoped the roots from the thousands of trees and the accompanying vegetation will in time help reduce river erosion by binding the soil, as well soaking up water during heavy rainfall and slow its flow into the swollen river.

Providing food and shelter for small animals and insects, the trust also believes bees and other pollinators will be attracted by wildflowers.

Spokesperson Sam Mason said: "It's quite a big site and there wasn't a lot happening so it was seen as a chance to make a big difference.

"With it taking five to 10 years for the trees to become well established, it's very much a long-term project, but it will turn the area into a thriving ecosystem."

A variety of native broadleaved trees that enjoy wetter ground have been planted, such as oak, hawthorn and silver birch.

With the permission of the landowner, they were put in place by contractors enlisted by the trust, along with help from volunteers and children from nearby Petteril Bank School.

But with the area seeing prolonged dry weather, Mason said the saplings had been "placed under more stress and some have died".

"Thanks to support from the Woodland Trust, we're making plans with the landowner to revisit the site this winter and replace trees where needed," she added.

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