2nd December saw the second major tree planting event for the aboretum, and it was amazing to see 30 volunteers turn out on a very cold and frosty morning to help plant 60 trees. 

Luckily the frost had not got into the ground and it was still soft from all the rain. A bit of forward planning helped the event run smoothly. A planting plan had been devised so that trees which prefer to grow in damp or drier areas were planted in the right parts of the site. The afternoon before the planting the tree spaces were all marked up, then on Saturday a few early workers pushed heavy wheelbarrows full of trees through the mud and placed the trees on the correct spots. It was a great community effort and all the trees were in the ground in 3 hours, then the support posts and tree guards were put on to protect them from the roe deer.

Half way through the morning the sun came out, at which point several of the donors wandered up, some of whom were brought up locally but travelled from a distance to see the site taking shape for the first time.

The EVMA supporter, Driftwood Café, arrived with a flask of hot chocolate for the volunteers, which was very welcome. Thanks also go to Queenie's, who parked up with her vintage caravan serving coffee, tea and snacks, and helped direct people to the site. 

Below is a lovely selection of photos of the tree planting event. You can also view some of these as a full resolution slideshow in the photo gallery.