Dacre Banks Nature Park and Ripon Walled Garden: 15-11-2016

There were an impressive 24 NCVs in action today – 11 over at Ripon Walled Garden and 13 at Dacre Banks. And what a lovely sunny day they had.

At Dacre Banks Nature Park time was spent tidying up tree guards. This involved firming the stakes and weeding within the guards to prevent weeds smothering trees and also stop the trees becoming damaged by decaying vegetation. Two field mice had to be temporarily evicted from one tube in the process.

There has been a very good survival of trees throughout the whole area. Losses have been largely restricted to the spiral guarded trees but could be due to various factors. The students got stuck into shifting 2 tons of walling stone for Michael in the afternoon. A good day's work!

James

Beautiful sky as we arrived. 

The planes were keeping an eye on us.

Some of the 3000 trees that needed our TLC. 

Possibly the wings of a woodcock found on the track. 
Probably the remains of a fox's dinner.

The task ahead.

The weeds like to grow in the tubes
 just as much as the trees!

The tree now with less competition in its little tube

Yes its lunch time and the sun is still shining

Sally and the vanishing banana trick

Meanwhile, at Ripon Walled Garden the other group met with orchard expert, Barry Potter, for the second time  to participate in the next part of their orchard management training. Here we were shown how to prune the trees in order to encourage fruit to be produced, cut out rotten wood and remove branches that are stopping light and air circulating within the centre of the canopy.

Thanks to Barry for an excellent training session - and to Audrey for the flapjack!

Ros E.

We started off on the veranda.

Hoy! Dave there, at the back. Pay attention!

Now - this 'ere's a tripod orchard ladder....

... and when you're at the top you can prune the tree safely.

Barry sorts out his harness. 
"I think that this bit goes in here."

Now for a demonstration - but not for the NCVs to try out.

Everyone got busy with secateurs, saws and loppers.

Are you sure you were meant to remove such a large piece ladies?

Graham and Dave used a different kind of ladder.

Ros E. ended up sitting down on the job.

Anita and Ros had some extra tuition from the expert.

Stop!! On NO account must you prune so vigorously Jan.

Lunchtime was a very civilised affair back on the veranda.
During this time we sampled a number of old apple varieties.

Ros E.