2024 marks a milestone year for us—we’ve reached 300,000 trees planted, a figure that seemed unimaginable when we started four years ago. Back then, planting a few hundred trees felt like a massive achievement. Most of our trees have been planted at the Low Fell and Raven Crag site, our largest and most challenging location. Those following our progress know we plant in dense clusters to replicate natural regeneration, avoid tubes and stakes, and speed up the transition to woodland.
Over the past couple of years, the trees have become well-established, overcoming bracken and extreme winds that regularly pummel the Fells. Year three is a critical milestone for tree establishment, as saplings begin to acclimatize to their new, permanent home and thrive in their surroundings.
Recent photos show clear copses of trees starting to transform the landscape and thriving. The best-performing clusters are those planted directly into the bracken without prior treatment. Contrary to the belief that trees can’t be established in bracken, we’ve observed that bracken acts as mini-nurse trees, protecting rather than suppressing the saplings.
Seeds struggle to establish in bracken due to the thick mulch of dead bracken, but saplings push through, benefiting from the shading bracken provides during droughts. This shading helps prevent the ground from drying out too quickly, hides young trees from deer, and creates a micro-climate that extends the growing season. Planting densely without tubes is key to establishing trees in this environment.
2024 also saw us surpass 200 acres of land—a small amount compared to other organizations, but we’re amazed at how much we’ve grown in such a short period. BLPT remains entirely voluntary, run by Sally of Chimney Sheep and me (Darren), driven by our belief that restoring nature and allowing it to flourish is the world’s top priority. 😊