Do you want to know more about the species we plant?
Downy birch is one of our favourites. As a pioneer species it grows well where trees are largely absent and competes well against bracken and pasture grass. It is native to most of Europe. Downy birch can provide food or habitat for more than 300 insect species.
Its leaves are more rounded at base than silver birch. Downy birch twigs are alternating and young twigs have a cover of of downy white hairs which gives the tree its name. The bark of saplings and whips is mostly smooth and brown or greyish and becomes white as the tree gets older.
Our AGM is open to the public this Thursday 7th of November from 18:00. The Green Centre, Chester Street car park, Douglas is going to be the venue and a Zoom option can be found at the end of this post.
draft agenda:
1) Minutes of last meeting, approval of
2) Matters arising from minutes
3) chairman's update
4) treasurer's update
5) draft accounts financial year 23/24
6) corporate memberships matching planting seasons
7) opportunity for questions & answers, brainstorming
8) election of directors - recommendations below (NB: we are looking for an additional director to become volunteer coordinator)
- chair: Falk Horning
- secretary: John Mackellar
- treasurer: Julie Hotchkiss
- membership secretary: Helen Williams
- site surveyor: Steve Prescott
- community ranger: Phil Corlett
- woodland advisor: Ben Brooker
- social media coordinator: Clara Barker
9) any other business
Join Zoom Meeting 7th November 18:00
us02web.zoom.us/j/82211555224?pwd=tiQ4p0jlwkuWIwjozTt2Awgs6dCajO.1
Meeting ID: 822 1155 5224
Passcode: 765121
240 planted near Peel Hill, well done crew! A rocky start but tenacity won the day.
Peel native tree planting this Sunday (03/11) from 10.30 am
Difficulty: medium
Weather: 13°C, dry and gentle breeze
Location: Peel Hill, lovely views
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First timer or experienced, single persons or small groups, you can just rock up without prior contact. We are going to show newcomers our method of planting trees. It is okay if you come a bit late or need to leave early.
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The site is on the east of Peel Hill, just above a former quarry pond.
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Our aim for this event is to plant around 300 trees. The species are mostly native to the island, fantastic for wildlife, soil enhancement and the air we breathe.
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The plantings tend to last for two to three hours and we share coffee and tea afterwards. Warm clothing that can get some dirt on it and sturdy shoes are recommended. We always have some spare gardening gloves.
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As usual we recommend ride sharing, helps with directions and creates joy. Parking is available at Knockaloe Beg Farm. From the parking area, it is about a 500m walk to the planting site. If you are on time, a lift on a farm trailer might be available - otherwise just follow our signs.
Parking Google maps link: maps.app.goo.gl/xLCYb3eAPPofX2RTA
what3words.com/stays.saloons.type
310 saplings planted, terrific effort team🙌A warm curry and homemade cake recharged our batteries afterwards.
Splendid to get the help of five first-timers including two sisters from Staffordshire who visited our island which their late father dearly loved.