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ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR DONATIONS OF SAPLINGS FOR THE WINTER PLANTING SEASON - '09/'10.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.
Please note, that all delivery/posting dates are approximate and are subject to weather conditions being suitable to secure stock.
Stonecat Nature Reserves produces willow and poplar trees from vegetative cuttings harvested from carefully selected stock across North Wales. These are called rods or sets depending on length. These vegetative cuttings, are simply clones of their parent trees thus, they tend to grow with the same vigour and display the same characteristics. A few other deciduous species are grown. Saplings rescued from development sites are also donated on occasion.
WOULD PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS FOR SAPLINGS PLEASE NOTE, THAT IT IS ALWAYS A CONDITION THAT RECIPIENTS OF TREES CONTACT A COMMERCIAL SUPPORTER OF SNR VIA TRADITIONAL POST OR EMAIL TO ADVISE THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED A FREE DONATION OF SUCH SAPLINGS. A COPY MUST BE SENT TO SNR.
THIS IS TO DEMONSTRATE TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO SUPPORT SNR THAT THEIR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN WORTHWHILE.
SNR WILL SUPPLY YOU WITH THE CONTACT DETAILS OF A FINANCIAL OR OTHER SUPPORTER OF SNR TO FACILITATE THIS.
IN RECENT YEARS, AN INCREASING NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS HAVE RECEIVED TREES AND THEN FAILED TO CARRY OUT THIS REQUEST. IN ODD CASES, AFTER RECEIVING TREES, NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH SNR HAS BEEN MADE.
PLEASE NOTE THEREFORE:
THAT AS OF THE PLANTING SEASON 08/09, ALL RECIPIENTS OF SAPLINGS WHICH DO NOT COOPERATE WITH THIS SIMPLE REQUEST, WILL HAVE THEIR DETAILS PUBLISHED ON THIS SITE AND WILL BE INVOICED FOR THE COST OF THE SAPLINGS PLUS POSTAGE.
STONECAT NATURE RESERVES (SNR) operates several schemes whereby ordinary people can obtain saplings for planting projects in their localities. Saplings can be donated to most organisations, from one or two people to larger set ups.
SNR will make a donation upon request to any bone fide school, club, society, group anywhere in England,(excluding Channel Islands & Isle of Man), Scotland or Wales. The recipient only pays for the postage at cost, this being stated on the packaging of the parcel.
Unfortunately, donations are made up of saplings available to SNR at the time and no guarantee of species or percentages of species can be given.
SPECIES ARE HOWEVER MOSTLY POPLAR AND WILLOW VARIETIES.
There may be an emphasis on vegetative cuttings of willow and poplar species. Most other trees are supplied bare rooted. Saplings will vary in size between 12 inches and 24 inches.
There is a limit of 50 saplings per applicant per annum. Saplings can be requested in batches of ten up to the 50 limit.
Trees are delivered between December and April inclusive. Occasionally later up to June with forced rooting of willows and poplars.
All trees come with planting and aftercare information and where appropriate, labelling.
All applications are dealt with on a first come basis. Late applications may be carried over to the next season. Applicants will be advised of this.
Registered Charities may apply for a sapling donation.
To apply for a donation of saplings, simply email:
Please include your name, address, name of group, your position within that organisation, some details of your planting scheme.
You must supply a contact landline number. If you have a website, SNR will request a reciprocal link.
YOU MAY REQUEST A DONATION OF SAPLINGS FROM APRIL TO NOVEMBER FOR DELIVERY FROM DECEMBER TO APRIL INCLUSIVELY.
REQUESTS FROM DECEMBER TO APRIL CAN BE CONSIDERED AND WILL BE SUPPLIED SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.
WILLOWS AND POPLARS ARE SOMETIMES AVAILABLE INTO JUNE. PLEASE ENQUIRE.
PLEASE NOTE.
All donations are made on the understanding that the recipient writes to one or more named supporters of Stonecat Nature Reserves, who will be identified as having directly helped fund the production of the donated saplings, to thank them.
stonecatnaturereserves@hotmail.co.uk
COSTS.
ALL SNR SAPLINGS ARE FREE TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS.
RECIPIENTS OF SNR TREES PAY POSTAGE ONLY.
USUALLY, SAPLINGS WILL BE POSTED.
MOST POSTINGS TEND TO BE OF SMALL NUMBERS OF SAPLINGS INVOLVING ONLY TWO OR THREE POUNDS. THE ACTUAL POSTAGE ON THE PARCEL IS WHAT IS PAYABLE.
THE COST OF POSTAGE WILL BE CLEARLY OBSERVABLE ON THE PACKAGE VIA STAMPS AND/OR OFFICIAL ROYAL MAIL MARKINGS.
SNR WILL ALSO ADD THIS COST TO THE REVERSE OF THE PACKAGE. POSTAGE MUST BE SENT TO SNR WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE PLANTS.
THE PACKAGE WILL ALWAYS CONTAIN BETWEEN 2% & 5% EXTRA PLANTS.
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PLANTING ADVICE.
Plants supplied are usually willow and or poplar species. Willow is primarily Osier (Salix viminalis) and Poplar is mostly Black Poplar varieties (Populus nigra).
These are supplied as 12" to 15" cuttings known as rods. Poplar may be up to 20 inches.
Willow supplied usually has traces of budding roots or rootlets. Otherwise, the base of the cutting will be marked. THAT IS THE END TO BE PLACED IN THE SOIL.
A hole should be dug, which is wide enough and deep enough to accommodate the plant.
Both Poplar and Willow should be placed in the hole which should be deep enough for a half to two thirds of the stem to be buried.
Do not worry about rootlets being broken or after planting, if some are still exposed above ground level.
Likewise, some plants may have buds or open leaves thereon. These may droop or fall off after planting. Again do not worry, they will grow again.
Once in the hole, soil should be carefully placed back in the hole, firming well as you go.
Once secure, water well.
Willows and Poplars grow rapidly, this latter attaining six feet per annum in good soil.
Please plant your trees where they can grow to maturity unmolested.
Willow can be planted as individual trees (8ft spacings +) or as a screen (24" spacings). Willow also makes an interesting hedge which is easily maintained.
Willow is also a fashionable tree of late for artistic training into sculptures.
To plant a screen, simply plant the rods no less than 12" and no more than 18" (inches) apart in a line as above described. After one year's growth, cut down the entire screen in February or March, to two inches above ground level. This will cause the plant to throw multiple shoots.
NEVER trim a willow screen to a set height. Once it out grows its purpose, simply cut to almost ground level and start again.
To plant a willow hedge, dig a trench deep enough to accommodate at least half of the stem lengths.
Place the rods at 12" spacings in a double row, staggered.
#< 12" >#< 12" >#< 12" ># #plant.
#< 12" >#< 12" >#
You can trim a willow hedge and top it. After a few seasons however, the hedge will show clearly especially in winter, where it has been topped.
To revive the hedge, simply fell to within a couple of inches of the ground in February or March, and let it grow from scratch again.
A willow hedge can be laid or woven.
Poplar is planted the same as willow. Certain varieties and hybrids can grow between 6 and 10 feet per annum. They are large trees with expansive root systems.
Do not therefore plant poplars ANYWHERE near buildings, underground services or overhead power lines etc.
Poplars can be planted 10ft apart to form a clump or a screen of trees or any distance apart as individual trees.
Late spring frosts or snow can loosen soil. Always check plants for soil loosening after freezing weather. Re-firm soil.
OTHER SPECIES.
Stonecat Nature Reserves no longer grows other deciduous tree species unless forming part of an experiment.
It will on occasion supply deciduous species when such can be acquired.
SNR approaches owners of land due for redevelopment and when consent is secured, will rescue wild sown saplings which would otherwise be destroyed.
It also has agreements with several landowners across North Wales to harvest wild sown saplings from woodlands.
All such plants will grow into perfectly good trees if given the opportunity.
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