| Woodland
Planting
1
December 2007
If
you have a serious amount of land that you want
to plant as woodland then seek information and
help from the Woodland Trust. www.woodland-trust.org.uk.
The Northern Ireland branch is based in Bangor,
Co. Down and they are all lovely people.
 On
the other hand if your garden is modest in size
you may still do your bit for the environment
by planting a small copse of trees or a shelterbelt.
Select trees that add year round interest and
colour to the garden while providing a habitat
for wildlife. A small wooded area becomes a
great adventure playground for young children.
Meandering paths through closely planted trees
will make the leaf canopied area seem larger
and will be a joy for that late evening or early
morning stroll after or before work for the
day.
 Apart
form the trees there is a range of woodlanders
that prefer to be planted in shaded conditions.
Acer palmatum, deciduous azaleas, rhododendrons,
shimmia and camellia will all succeed as will
early spring bulbs such as winter aconites,
Anemone blanda and English bluebells.
Select a mixture of deciduous and evergreen
trees. The autumn leaf show on rowan tree, birch,
beech and cherry will be spectacular leading
to a carpet of colour to walk on. In winter
these deciduous trees give way to the evergreen
foliage of holly and pine.
 Plant
some scented honeysuckles, sometimes referred
to as woodbine (Lonicera). They will scramble
through the trees drizzling their fragrance
down to welcome you to their domain.
I prefer to use small plants 2-4 ft in height.
They become established more quickly than bigger
trees that tend to sit and sulk for a couple
of years.
Bare root plants are available in winter and
these are cheaper than container grown plants.
A close plant spacing of 2 metres or 7 ft apart
will form a thick copse and force the trees
up to the light. If the planting is random,
rather than in rows, then it will be easier
to form a meandering path.
Take care when planting. Make a hole larger
that the root area and add some compost, farmyard
manure and a handful of bone meal to each planting
pit. Plant at the same depth as previously grown.
Firm the soil around the roots and water well
after planting.
 A
rustic wooden seat somewhere in the copse will
encourage you to linger.
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