Here in Staffordshire the wet weather has thankfully given way and we have had a few frosty mornings this week. Our tree nursery robin is singing away, I guess he is hoping for someone to disturb some old compost for an easy meal. The big news topic for the nursery this week has not been Megxit but rather the Agriculture Bill introduced to Parliament on 16th January. The environment and organic regulation feature extensively in the document. I am ploughing my way through it (no farming pun intended) and will try to report on the aspects especially important for our organic business in due course.
I have been doing some research into which of our organic trees is the best for storing carbon dioxide. The Horse Chestnut Tree (or as my grandchildren refer to it ‘The Conker Tree’) appears near the top of the list and planting of this species is being actively encouraged. Fortunately, we have plenty of these in stock in our nursery as their popularity is certain to rise. I have been aware for a few years that the Horse Chestnut can develop leaf blotches which makes them less aesthetically pleasing and more importantly reduces the carbon dioxide intake of the tree during the summer. I understand that this blotch damage is reduced if the old dead leaves are raked up each year and well composted. So that is a job for someone next week before the new buds burst into leaf – but not me; I’m still on crutches and liable to fall on my nose if I hold a rake too. The blackbirds will love the free leaf disturbance as will our robin. I hope local councils understand the importance of raking up leaves to improve the uptake of carbon dioxide for individual trees.
Smaller trees and bushes are equally good for storing carbon and more appropriate for those with less garden space. The Woodland Trust recommend Blackthorn. Planting our organic blackthorn is a brilliant idea. Not only can you clean up the air and improve your environment but also they provide sloes which you can use to make the most British of liqueurs, Sloe Gin.
So conkers for the children, sloe gin for the adults and cleaner air for all of us – what is there not to like?
