Whipped into shape

On a sunny Saturday, Goodgymers Tara, Tabitha and Rita the dog joined about a dozen other volunteers from the Wilding Network at the South Downs Eco Cooperative where they planted almost 500 tree whips - or very baby trees! For each tree, a planter had to dig a hole about 5 inches deep, place the baby whip's 'root ball' in its new home, lightly pack the hole with soil, and finally, support the whip with a bamboo cane inside a tubular guard to protect the babies from nibbling rabbits and wind. We planted what will be a future hedge around a field, and a lovely wooded hillside on the cooperative's grounds with a variety of British tree species, including oaks, rowans, hawthorns and more. A fantastic way to spend a Saturday! Oh, and not a bad way to spend a birthday either. Happy birthday Tara!