The Woodland Trust are running a scheme to provide hundreds of thousands of free trees, hedges and other plants to schools and local community groups. In 2021 the CDRA applied for two batches of 120 mixed hedge saplings, for delivery in March and November.
Hedges are an important part of the ecosystem, offering homes to native birds and animals such as mice, robins, grass snakes toads and snails. As our woodlands have been destroyed over the centuries many animals have adapted to live in hedgerows, however over the last 70 years nearly half of the UK’s hedges have been destroyed mostly to make larger fields. The new hedges will help towards the UK’s aim to reach its 2050 carbon net-zero ta
21st July 2023
We continue to maintain the saplings on the Leg O'Mutton Field by cutting back the grass round them for mulch and replacing the guards as they become too small.
We have bought replacement saplings for those that died last summer and they have already arrived and will be kept in pots over the summer ready for planting in October when there has (hopefully) been some rain.
27th November 2022
We were delighted to see that fewer of the saplings on the Leg O'Mutton Field have died following the drought this summer. We recently undertook some TLC of the saplings, including mowing the grass round them and cleaning out the guards. You can see from the photos some of the saplings even produced hips to feed wildlife.
22nd August 2022
Not surprisingly the saplings we planted on the Leg O'Mutton Field have suffered during the drought this summer. The CDRA committee have tried to keep them watered as much as possible but we think we may have lost some of them, we will know the extent in the spring when the new growth starts. It may be possible to obtain replacements from the Woodland Trust. We would like to thank the Leg O'Mutton Allotment holders for the use of their tap!
17th May 2022
10th December 2021
On a beautiful sunny day last week, CDRA committee members and other volunteers planted the latest batch of assorted saplings which we received from the Woodland Trust. These were provided free as part of their scheme for free trees for schools and community organisations. A huge thank you to the Woodland Trust!
Following the planting the team enjoyed well earned mince pies. We'd like to thank all the volunteers who came down to help.
25th November 2021
We have just taken delivery of another batch of saplings from the Woodland Trust. We will be planting these on the Leg O'Mutton Field on Saturday 4th December between 10am and noon. If you are able to come down and help please do, and if you can bring your own spade even better! For more information email us using the contact button above.
As well as trees, hedges are also an important but often neglected environmental element and so we have embarked on a hedging programme following liaison with Elmbridge Borough Council’s Green Spaces Team. In April we planted 120 native saplings provided free of charge by The Woodland Trust on the Leg O’Mutton Field.
The saplings have been regularly cared for during the summer with watering, grass reduction around bases of plants and mulching with the grass cuttings. This, along with the upsizing of guards and supports has enabled good growth of the hedge saplings. We also have been giving them an 'airing', removing loose dead leaves now that the plants are preparing for autumn and young buds are already showing ready for next years growth.
We have another delivery of 120 saplings expected in November to continue the project and will be looking for volunteers to help with the planting and will advise you of the date. We are hugely grateful to our members who donated towards the cost of the stakes and guards.
