The wonderful Luke Massey of Wild Finca contacted me recently to tell me about a project for planting trees called Life Terra. We desperately needed trees to finish a vital part of our project – helping to improve our soil and protect it from very variable weather patterns. And, of course, sinking carbon. So, I put in an application and waited. I honestly couldn’t believe it when we were accepted. I cried tears of happiness because it meant so much to us and our project.
Try to imagine this – our land is higher in the middle, and the sun rises to the right (east) and sets on the left (west); the top of the land gets sun all day long, the ground is parched, and there is no shade for the animals. As it is their job to eat, poop and fertilise the land, we need our animals there.
They say a picture paints a thousand words, so I’ve taken a few photographs from the various day’s planting. Underneath each one is the reason for planting the trees where we did.
This photo speaks for itself – two of our cheeky donkeys, watching our every move and offering advice.
Healthy soil leads to a healthy planet – dead soil is just dirt and an end to life on our planet. And it really is that simple.
Planting Trees
Special tool for making holes made the task a lot easierIt is easy when you have the right toolsCovered all around with untreated wood sawdustPlanting evergreen oaks in the chicken agroforestry to provide shadeWrapped with wire mesh to stop the chickens digging them upOur beautiful Bresse chickens will benefit from the extra shadeThe Atlantica Cedar tree well protected with wire meshPlanting acers in the recreational areaMeasuring the hammock that will hang from the acersAlfonz will be happy to have more shadeWe couldn’t plant in the sheep field because they amuse themselves by taking apart anything we make for themPlanting more acersCoccifera planted down this fenceAilsa giving a much needed helping handHawthorn planted down the land for shadeFig tree in the Maran chickens area for shade and foodOn the right we planted hawthorn to mirror the row of olive treesHazelnut trees planted for shade, animal food and carbon sinkingPlanted acers and fig trees in the chicken area for shade, and so the chickens and wildlife can enjoy a few figsBottom agroforestry – planted hazelnuts and more coccifera hedge for insects and birds and to keep the sheep outWillows planted along the bank of the soon to be fixed pool. They will provide shade and can be used to make fencing and structuresCyprus trees planted along the fence and cocciferra for a spiky hedge. Great for the birds and insects, and shade for the donkeys as their track runs alongside hereAlong the boundary we planted Hawthorn, Cyprus trees, hazelnut and acers. Our neighbour is taking out all the trees. So we want to ensure we have shade by replacing some that has already gonePathway down the land. On the right is Hawthorn, great for the wildlife, shade and carbon sinking. On the left, hazelnut trees good for exactly the same reasons.
Visit the farm
If you would like to know more about our tree-planting or any of our other projects, please get in touch. We also hold Walking Tours of the farm in the summer and early autumn. You can meet all the animals and discover more about what we do and why we do it. Check our What’s Going On page for dates and times this year, or call us to arrange your own private tour.
