Plantations of modern nut varieties are much more productive than
similar areas of arable crops. Wheat commonly produces between 2-10 tons/acre
on good soils. On much poorer soils chestnuts have an annual yield of 7-11
tons, pecans 9-11 tons, hazelnuts (most suitable for northern temperate
climate) 9-12 tons, and walnuts 10-15 tons (carbohydrate yields). From
Richard Mabey "Fencing
NUT TREE PLANTING PROJECT - 2009 UPDATE
Background
The vision behind this scheme is to provide another source of nutritious food for the Totnes community in the future. In March 2007, TTT started the scheme with a few varieties of nut trees on Vire Island. Further plantings took place during the winter of 2007-2008 on Longmarsh, Borough park playing fields, Follaton gardens and Bridgetown. Some people volunteered to be guardians of the trees, to watch their growth, and nurture them. Most of the trees have survived, despite a lot of flooding on Longmarsh and some battering of trees surrounding playing fields in Bridgetown.
Winter 2008/2009
In December 2008, a small group of residents of Meadow Close in Bridgetown, including several children, planted a new orchard of apples, pears and almonds on a site adjacent to the close. The process was helped along by mulled wine and mince pies! West Country Housing provided the funding for the trees and Tor Homes provided the stakes and mulch.
A further planting session took place in January 2009 – a combined effort between the TTT project, Trees for Health and South Hams District Council. About 20 of us joined in planting more trees in Follaton Gardens, mulching some of the ones planted last year, and putting in 3 almond trees in the Town Cemetery. We were specially glad of the help of 2 children, Esben and Reuben, and hope they will enjoy telling their grandchildren about the putting in of all the huge sweet chestnut and walnut trees that will be flourishing in 70 years time!
On March 1st 2009, we had another sunny planting day on Longmarsh, putting in more sweet chestnuts, walnuts and hazel trees. The indefatigable Esben helped us again, and a small group of adults also helped Tim Pollard (SHDC), Liz Turner (Trees for Health) and me. We were reminded by a man who spends much time on Longmarsh that the shading of the Longmarsh meadow site when the nut trees grow big will banish some of the more sun-loving plants. In deference to his knowledge of this site, we avoided a patch of meadow where orchids have been spreading the last few years. Hard decisions!
On the same day, we re-planted 4 trees on the Pathfields playing field that had got damaged last year, with the help of 2 boys – Alhor and Jordan. On March 4th we planted another 7 fruit trees on the Town Cemetery site amongst the old graves. These are all potential Memorial trees for anyone who wants to buy one from the Town Council in memory of their dead friends or relatives. Liz Turner again supported us, as well as Tim Pollard with equipment; Ruth Robinson, Town Councillor, who has given much support to the Nut and fruit tree planting scheme, was there to photograph our labours.
The residents of Sparrow road, who planted nut trees on their road on March 13th, undertook the last tree planting of the season.
The response to our appeal for donors towards nut trees this year was fantastic. Many thanks to all individual donors, to South Hams District Council and West Country Housing association. We are left with some funds towards next year’s planting.
Future plans
1) We have become more aware this year that the number of sites for planting more big nut trees within the town are rapidly shrinking, even on Longmarsh and Follaton gardens, and certainly in the residential areas. There is still some potential for more planting of smallish trees, almonds and some fruit trees, within residential areas where the folk living there may welcome the food source without being too shaded out.
2) Perhaps more individuals, farms or landowners with land around Totnes might be interested in planting more big nut trees on their land, the fruits of which can ultimately be sold or bartered?
3) A more integrated approach to edible planting within the town boundaries (small trees, shrubs, and climbers) may evolve between all interested parties to make Totnes a more attractive, green, and fruitful place. When the time is ripe, many of those with responsibilities for highways, open spaces, tourism and trade, as well as residents, may need to come together to envisage this and work towards it, if it is what we all want.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS : PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO JOIN THIS PROJECT!
Anyone who wants to join in the Tree planting scheme, sponsor a tree or be a tree guardian, please contact Holly Tiffen (hollytiffen@yahoo.co.uk or 01803 732545) or Wendy Stayte (wendystayte@yahoo.co.uk or 01803 868305).