We are trying to raise £5000 to help replant our woodland at Forest Garden Shovelstrode following confirmation by the Forestry Commission that all our ash trees are now infected with Chalara ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus).

Ash dieback is a fast spreading fungus which affects the tree’s ability to draw nutrients into its upper branches. It starts with dieback of the crown and eventually kills the tree. It is now present all across the UK and it is expected that the majority of ash trees will decline and die over the next 10 - 15 years. Many of our trees are diseased and dangerous and now need to be removed.

We are heartbroken at seeing these magnificent trees go, as they have provided so much joy to us and all our visitors. The trees have been a part of Lisa's life for more than 50 years and its hard to imagine a landscape without them. However this is essential and now urgent woodland management.

We have begun a low impact strategy to systematically remove the infected ash trees, and re-plant the woodland over the next two years. In the first phase the ash trees around the yurts and cabins are being carefully felled by hand in order to preserve as much of the remaining trees and understory as possible.

The removal of ash trees has opened up glades in the woodland which will bring in much more light which will encourage natural regeneration from the existing seed bank, and also the existing lower canopy will thrive. We also wish to plant a large variety of native broadleaf trees of varying sizes to create a layered canopy. This will create a more diverse and resilient woodland for the future.

SPONSOR A TREE

We have managed to organise a business loan to pay for the removal of the trees - but we need your help to raise an additional £5000 to buy new trees for the first phase of replanting around the yurts and cabins.

Your donation of any amount will go towards the purchase of a small sapling and tree guard small for £10 or a standard tree of up to 2-3m at a cost of between £50 - £150. We have to plant many trees and would be very grateful for any support you can give us.

We will then include the names of all our Woodland Sponsors on a plaque in the Forest Garden café.

By sponsoring a tree you will be helping not just us, but the whole planet.

Thank you,

Charles & Lisa

Jacaranda cabin is surrounded by bluebells & wild orchids. We will start replanting trees in early spring

The fires have been burning for several weeks as the clear up happens

Savannah Yurt had two very mature ash trees growing through the deck.

Idaho Cabin

The woodland workshop. The tent was supported by these ash trees which have pollarded to hold the new woodland workshop.