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Planting acer trees in the recreation area

Planting Trees

Healthy Soil – Healthy Planet

I was recently contacted by the brilliant Luke Massey of Wild Finca who told me about Life Terra, one of Europe’s biggest climate action initiatives. From large-scale, professional planting projects to small, local community activities, Life Terra has helped plant trees in over twenty European countries. Their philosophy is the right tree in the right place at the right time, for more effective land restoration and ecosystem resilience.

MORE ABOUT Life Terra

We desperately needed trees to finish a vital part of our project, to help to improve our soil and protect it from very variable weather patterns. And, of course, sinking carbon. So, I sent off an application to Life Terra and waited. I honestly couldn’t believe it when we were accepted. I cried tears of joy because it meant so much to us and our project.

Picture this if you will. 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, so the ground is parched, and there is no shade for the animals. As it is their job to eat, poop and fertilise the land, our animals need to be out there.

Two of our donkeys surveying our tree planting efforts and offering advice

They say a picture paints a thousand words, so I’ve taken a few photographs from the various planting days. 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. It really is that simple.

Planting Trees Around the Land

Special tool for making holes
It is easy when you have the right tools
Covered all around with untreated wood sawdust
Evergreen oaks in the agroforestry to provide shade
Wire mesh to stop the chickens digging them up
Our beautiful Bresse chickens will love the extra shade
Atlantica Cedar tree well protected with wire mesh
Planting acer trees in the recreation area
Planting acers in the recreational area
Measuring the hammock that will hang from the acers
Planting trees to help improve the soil. Healthy soil = healthy planet
Alfonz will be happy to have more shade
Couldn’t plant in the sheep field as they amuse themselves by taking apart anything we make for them
Planting more acers
Coccifera planted down this fence
Ailsa giving a much needed helping hand
Hawthorn planted down the land for shade
On the right hawthorn, to mirror the row of olive trees
Fig tree in the Maran chickens area for shade and food
Hazelnuts for shade, animal food and carbon sinking
Acers and fig trees in the chicken area for shade. Also, the chickens and wildlife can enjoy a few figs
Bottom agroforestry – hazelnuts and more coccifera hedge for insects and birds, and to keep the sheep out
Willows planted around the pond. They will provide shade and can be used to make fencing and structures
Cyprus 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.
Along the boundary we planted Hawthorn, Cyprus trees, hazelnut and acers. Our neighbour is taking out all the trees. So we want to make sure we have shade by replacing some that have already gone.
Pathway down the land. On the right is Hawthorn, great for the wildlife, shade and carbon sinking. On the left, hazelnut trees are good for the same reasons.

Find out more

Please get in touch if you would like to know more about tree planting and our other projects. It would be great to hear from you! We hold Walking Tours of the farm in the summer and early autumn. Bring your family and friends, meet all the animals and discover more about what we do and why we do it. Check the Ferme du Bourdicou What’s Going On page for dates and times this year, or call us to arrange a private tour.

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