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Trees and forestry

We are planting a number tree species for shelter, firewood and aesthetics. You can find out more about our planting initiatives by visiting carbon.org.nz

Oaks from acorns
Oaks from acorns
Chestnuts
Another batch of trees in the ground
olmec
Another batch of trees in the ground
Winter is a time to purchase and plant trees. This year we have put in 110 new trees which has basically filled up the remaining available space.
Going forward it will mostly be shrubs or replanting specimens that don't survive.
30 Jul 2011
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The way of the swale
olmec
The way of the swale
A swale is a permaculture design technique designed to improve water catchment and retention on slopes. Applicable to varying scales, a swale is basically a ditch or terrace created along a contour line with the removed soil piled on the downhill side. As rainwater drains down the slope above is is caught and absorbed by the swale. Plantings made along the swale with have access to additional moisture for extended period.

My first attempt at a small swale follows the contour line on a northwest facing slope below an existing track. Because of the small size I was able to dig this by hand over 2 periods, using an A-frame level. Over the course of the next few months we will be scattering the kitchen scraps along the length for the chooks to work over, adding their manure and nutrients from the kitchen. Finally it will be planted up in a variety of different plants from ground covers, bulbs and shrubs to fruit and firewood trees.
12 Jun 2011
Tree plantings
Tree plantings
Details:We recently completed planting of 110 trees purchased from Appletons.

The selection consists of deciduous and evergreen ornamentals, light forestry, firewood and crop trees.

Not much room left for further tree planting...

Date:07 Aug 2010
Types
More Trees
olmec
More Trees
This weekend I planted a number of crop trees. For the most part it was seedling walnuts collected from under my grandmothers tree but also included 5 grafted fruit trees I purchased.

2 x apricot
2 x nectarine
1 x almond
25 Jul 2010