Croft Tree Planting
Online-community Project!
We have planted three shelter belts on our croft of native trees/ shrubs specifically downy birch, common alder, green willow, elder, goat willow and gorse. This will;
- increase diversity
- provide wildlife habitat
- provide shelter for the sheep
- help with water management
- reduce soil erosion at the coastline
There is a distinct lack of trees in our area and increasing tree coverage will substantially help our smaller birds such as starling, dunnock, sparrow and rarer reed birds and tits. The understory of ungrazed grass will then provide habitat for insects of all kinds, small mammals and amphibians. The ungrazed grass then provides a seed bank to spread fresh seeds onto the croft to help grass regeneration.
We intend to pair the shelter belts with rotational grazing to try and build up soil depth and quality and increase yield.
I looked into grant funding and struggled to either find anything I was applicable for or that didn't require the funds upfront with reimbursement months later. Instead I decided to make this a community project involving my wonderful online community on facebook and instagram. Buying a 'tree' for the croft which would cover the tree, guard, mulch mats and labour to plant it. I thought it would be nice to have a list of everyone who has contributed to this wonderful worldwide community endeavor!
Donations:
Rachel Newlin
Hazel Barratt
Gillian Whyte
Emma Keeble
Preston Williams
Janet Fik - for her great-grandchild due in July!
Julia Fox
Lynda Sharples
Mary Lou Stillwell
Dustie Loveland
A M
Linda LaCroix
Moira Oliver
Laura Tawney
Cheryl Callahan
Lorrie Carse-Wilson
Maryellen Duthie
Vanessa Clark
Fiona Mackenzie
Audrey Docherty
Cathy Travis
Sharon Hefferman - in memory of her dad who loved holidays on Harris and Lewis
Kate Little
Jenny McKay
Cheryll Hawksley
Amanda Hamilton
Suzanne Morrison - in memory of Malcolms dad who was from Stornoway
Elaine Eadie
Karen Bowler
George Egerton
Deborah Wright
Teri Comans
Beth Timmons
Carlene Paquette - in memory of her cousin
Jill Lawrence
Mary-Anne Tillet
Suzanne Rothlisberger
Donald Burton
Sheridan Adams
Rae Ensor
Sue Bower
Chris Davis
Kat Barnwell
Rosemary Graham
Margit Lehrach
Anita Barnard
Jean DeMunzio
Kat Barnwell
Chris Davies
Sue Bowler
Rae Ensor
Sheridan Adams
Trisha Hayes
Donna Cuomo
Jan Gordon
Patricia Rollins
Martina Matthies
Susan Hall
Shirley Marshall
Annie Delin
Annette Millar
Yolanda Cox
Karen George
Judy Kettlewell
Bronwyn Hutchinson
Beth Timmons
Coriolana Simon
Jessica Grey
Lucy Broad