Protect Earth Skip to content Godalming, Surrey
Thorncombe Street is a beautiful Hamlet (confusingly!) close to Guildford. Protect Earth were brought on board to help plant several shelterbelts, as well as the beginnings of a new woodland and a vastly improved ancient woodland.
This was a bit of an arduous task, as the woodland had to be stripped of invasive Cherry Laurel. You’ve likely seen this, it’s (unfortunately) used a lot in hedgerows. The primary issue with Cherry Laurel is that it’s just too bloody good at growing! It outpaces almost all other native species planted alongside it, and steals all the nutrients, leading to a monoculture. That is, as you might imagine, working entirely against what we’re trying to do, and that is to reintroduce rich and vibrant ecosystems. So, out with the loppers!
After cutting a swathe through them, we were then able to plant some local variants of trees, ensuring a much wider variety in the immediate vicinity of the planting area. By creating these areas of diversity, it means that all manner of little critters and beasties are able to make their homes in and amongst the trees.
Across the site, the 3 areas are doing really well considering the dry weather. With just 12.5% failure by the New Barn.
The main wood has a 70% survival rate, and the linear patch of wood on the hilltop is also doing well. We will go back and have a woodland maintenance day and plant a few additional trees to keep the overall survival rate to a maximum.
Thorncombe Street is a beautiful Hamlet (confusingly!) close to Guildford. Protect Earth were brought on board to help plant several shelterbelts, as well as the beginnings of a brand new ancient forest. This was a bit of an arduous task, as first we had to strip back the land from some invasive Cherry Laurel. You’ve likely seen this; it’s (unfortunately) used a lot in hedgerows. The primary issue with Cherry Laurel is that it’s just too bloody good at growing! It outpaces almost all other native species planted alongside it, and steals all the nutrients, leading to a monoculture. That is, as you might imagine, working entirely against what we’re trying to do, and that is to reintroduce rich and vibrant ecosystems. So, out with the loppers!
After cutting a swathe through them, we were then able to plant some local variants of trees, ensuring a much wider variety in the immediate vicinity of the planting area. By creating these areas of diversity, it means that all manner of little critters and beasties are able to make their homes in and amongst the trees.
Trees planted: 3000 tCO2 after 50 years: 1020 Species planted: Common Oak, Alder, Aspen, Wild Cherry, Rowan, Hornbeam, Silver Birch, Hazel, Beech, Guelder Rose, Hawthorn, Crab Apple, Alder Buckthorn, Blackthorn
Help us create and maintain new woodlands, hedgerows and wildflower meadows! We need volunteers to sow seeds, plant saplings, clear invasive plant species and pick up litter. No qualifications necessary; jobs for all ages and abilities. Come and turn climate anxiety into climate action!
With government funding for reforestation and rewilding tenuous, we increasingly rely on our amazing community to keep us growing regardless of political shifts. Help Protect Earth continue to restore ecosystems and improve biodiversity across the country.
Help us put down roots! Your donations to our Land Fund let us seize the moment when the perfect piece of land comes up for sale. Every penny helps us secure community woodlands, healthier ecosystems, and a greener future for generations to come.