Sunday 24 October 2021

Tree thinning at Alderley Edge on Sunday 17th October 2021

Ten of us met up at the carpark at Alderley Edge in the drizzle for our first workday here since June last year.  After collecting tools we crossed the road to an area closed to the public which has been cleared of big trees but where birch trees have self seeded.  Our task was to remove the birch saplings some of which were 4m high.  The Alderley Edge mid-week group had already cleared part of the area and left plenty of wood to burn.  Despite the drizzle we managed to light a roaring fire.

The rain soon eased off and left us with a dry spot for the morning break (vegan choc cake and ginger cake).  Some of the small saplings could be pulled up by hand, others needed a bit more equipment.  We had mattocks and two “tree poppers” to use for the smaller stuff and the bigger stumps were pulled out with a hand winch attached to one of the mature trees.



By mid-afternoon we had cleared the patch of saplings so we put rope round the fire and headed back to the carpark having done a good day's work.  Local Granellis ice cream van was there for refreshments.  I know it’s good ice cream because I used to live 12 doors down from the factory shop!


Jenny

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