Howard Court

1,200 trees planted February 2021 | in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire

DJI_0063.JPG

~400 tonnes of carbon sequestered

by 2071

 
 

Funding Partner

 

Caroline Kitching

Landowner

Howard Court is a beautiful old farm house set on nine acres of pasture land in North Yorkshire, between Stokesley and Great Ayton. The River Leven passes through part of the land, and there are noticeable bumps from the traditional “ridge and furrow” plowing on the main field, which is home to the occasional sheep.

We are planting a shelterbelt of native British trees common to the area, which will run along the western border of the farm. This will sequester carbon dioxide from the air, give local wildlife new habitat, provide a windbreak for the sheep, and generally make the place look lovely.

The shelterbelt will then flare out into a woodland area, which will be over an acre of Alder, Sessile Oak, Silver Birch, Wild Cherry, Crab Apple, Hazel, Hawthorn, Holly, Elder, Blackthorn, Guelder Rose, and Downy Birch. We’ve also harvested some willow branches from two old collapsed Crack Willow and Pussy Willow trees nearby. Those trees had fallen into the river and didn’t stand a chance, but by cutting trimmings from the tree we could replant the river bank, and hopefully prevent further erosion.

Some tree planting was previously undertaken on a small section north of the river, but the drought of 2018 claimed about 50% of the saplings. We’ve collected all the empty tubes and stakes for reuse, and have adopted the remaining ~400 saplings as our own, to be maintained, watered, and cared for just like our newly planted ~1,700 saplings.

If you’re interested in checking out our work here, there is a public footpath running along the northern most border of Howard Court by the river. Once COVID-19 lockdowns are over, you can also stay in their shepherds huts! This message was written from inside one of the huts, and even in the middle of winter it’s nice and toasty. If you happen to be getting married, they host weddings too! Check out their website.

 
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