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Posted on: June 13, 2013

Quality Fruit Trees

Following last year’s successful scheme, the Forest of Avon Trust is again be able to offer the following pot- grown bush apple trees for Bristol allotment- holders. Collection from Ashton Court in early November:

  • Ashmeads Kernel, (Gloucestershire): eating apple, harvest October, flowering group 4; rootstocks: M27 and M9;
  • Blenheim Orange, (Oxford): eating & cooking apple, harvest October, flowering group 3; rootstock: M27;
  • Bramley’s Original, (Nottinghamshire): cooking apple, harvest October, flowering group 3; rootstocks: M27, M9;
  • Bramley’s Seedling, (Nottinghamshire): cooking apple, harvest October, flowering group 3; rootstock: M27;
  • Cox Orange Pippin, (Bristol- self fertile variety): eating apple, harvest October, flowering group 3; rootstock: M27, M9;
  • Egremont Russet, (Sussex): eating apple, harvest October, flowering group 2; rootstock: M27, M9;
  • Worcester Pearmain, (Worcester): eating apple, harvest September, flowering group 3; rootstock: M27.

The rootstocks above are dwarfing and will result in a guideline tree size of 2 metres (M27) and 2.5 metres (M9), respectively. All will need supporting with stakes/ wires and high levels of weed control and watering. All these varieties will pollinate each other.

Bush apple trees at least two years old and are approximately 1.2 to 1.5 metres high, including compost filled 12- litre pot.

Allotment News featured last year’s prices. This year apples are: £26, still well below garden centre prices. We can also supply pot grown pear trees on Quince C rootstock (£27), cherries on Gisela 5 (£28) and plums on pixy (£28). We also supply blackberries, raspberries and stakes + ties, mats + pegs and rabbit guards.

As a guide a maximum of three dwarf fruit trees can be planted on an allotment. In all cases, planting needs to be (simply) checked with Bristol’s Allotments team on (0117) 922 3737.

For orders, please complete Quality Fruit Trees Here and email it or relevant details from it, to: jonclark@forestofavontrust.org

If you have any questions or special requests please also email the address above.

All are supplied subject to availability: alternatives will be offered.

A HUGE RANGE OF OTHER VARIETIES AND ROOT STOCKS CAN BE ALSO BE PRE- ORDERED AND COLLECTED FOR GARDEN PLANTING, please email to enquire.

Posted in: Garden Forest, Join us as a Friend, Latest News |
Posted on: April 16, 2013

Why We Still Need a Community Forest

Street and garden trees integrate with existing woodland, grading to the Cotswold edge. Access links, play areas and open conservation sites extend through this. Farms and woodlands provide food and services for the urban market, with the ‘urban forest’ having the structure to accommodate any permitted development.

I worked for the first Community Forest: the Great North Forest from its beginning in 1990 and have worked in Community Forestry since. I remain strongly of the view that a shared, progressive and long- term strategy for the countryside around England’s largest urban areas is essential. This need not be prescriptive, but should be about a common will to spend time on improving the landscape and functionality of an area, in partnership with landowners, communities and many others.

The Forest of Avon Partnership ended in 2009 having achieved a great deal. Whilst 17 years is long-term in British planning terms, this charity was established to keep the momentum going. It is really heartening to hear Bristol Mayor: George Ferguson, refer to the need for more tree planting (one of our objectives) and cross boundary working.

If you want to help keep the Forest of Avon Community Forest vision and delivery going, email me here with your ideas and/or join us as a Friend (£3/ month).

Jon Clark.

 

 

Posted in: Future Woods, Join us as a Friend, Latest News |
Posted on: January 15, 2013

Showcasing our Work

The Trust celebrated its third ‘birthday’ in December by taking on the lease of The Retreat and by filming three videos at the site, illustrating our work.  Trust patron and One Show regular Mike Dilger took time out of his busy schedule to help us with this, working with local media production company Constellation Media.

We were supported in the films by Forest School trainees; children and staff from Bradley Stoke Community School; and representatives from some of the organisations, businesses and Councils we have worked with.

Jon Clark, Trust Executive Director, said:

‘It was a cold and windy day, so huge thanks to everyone who took part. It was really heartening to hear everyone’s commitment to the cause. I am really pleased with three short films, which I hope speak for themselves.’

A mention has also got to go to Manor Farm Shop for an excellent warming lunch.

The videos are below: (also available on our YouTube Channel)

Tree Charity: the Forest of Avon Trust

Click here to play the video

 Tree Action in and Around Bristol

Forest School Leader Training

Click here to play the video

 

Posted in: Adults with Learning Disabilities, Business Sponsor, Community Partners, Forest School Projects, Free Trees for Communities, Future Woods, Garden Forest, Join us as a Friend, Latest News, Natural Connections, Our Projects, Training activities |
Posted on: January 7, 2013

The Trust has its First Woodland

The Retreat looking north.

The Forest of Avon Trust is now the proud lessee of The Retreat community woodland at Beach, near Upton Cheyney. This 5.18 hectare native woodland was planted in 2000 and provides attractive woodlands walks, with great views extending over Bristol to the Severn Estuary.

Jon Clark, Forest of Avon Trust Executive Director said: ‘Taking on the lease of  The Retreat is a ‘real coming of age’ for the Trust, three years in to its life. We now have a great location for woodland walks, a fantastic site for Forest School training and new location for Tree Dedications. I would really like to thank Veale, Wasbrough, Vizards for their pro bono conveyencing support which helped make this possible.’

The Retreat is on Marshfield Lane, Beach and is clearly marked on Explorer Map 155 a mile east of Upton Cheyney, grid reference ST 710707. Telephone Jon on (0117) 963 3383 for more detailed directions.

The Retreat was formerly managed by the Woodland Trust and planted under their ‘Woods on Your Doorstep’ Lottery funded programme.

Posted in: Business Sponsor, Future Woods, Join us as a Friend, Latest News, Our Projects |
Posted on: December 5, 2012

Free Trees for Communities- Apply Now

For the eighth year running, the Trust is pleased to offer free trees and shrubs for communities wanting to improve their local areas.

The trees/ shrubs continue to be from seeds collected and grown locally and are supplied bare- rooted 40-60 cm in size. Where rabbits are a problem we can  also supply rabbit guards free of charge.

All you have to do is fill in this application form:  Free Trees Form 11_12 (You will need to have secured the agreement of the land- owner, confirmed the location of services and have agreed to maintain the trees.)

The free trees/ shrubs are offered on a ‘first come first served’ basis and for applications of more than 75 trees we would ask you to join our Friends scheme (from £3/ month), which enables us to fund community tree planting in to the future.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Posted in: Community Partners, Free Trees for Communities, Join us as a Friend, Latest News |
Posted on: July 12, 2012

Attention All Bristol Allotment Holders

Worcester Pearmain, Copyright Nick Dunn, Trees for Life

As promoted in June’s Bristol Allotments’ Newsletter, the Forest of Avon Trust is pleased to be able to offer the following pot- grown bush apple trees for £20 collection from Ashton Court late October/ early November:

  • Ashmeads Kernel, (Gloucestershire): eating apple, harvest October, flowering group 4; rootstocks: M27 and M9;
  • Blenheim Orange, (Oxford): eating & cooking apple, harvest October, flowering group 3; rootstock: M27;
  • Bramley’s Original, (Nottinghamshire): cooking apple, harvest October, flowering group 3; rootstocks: M27, M9;
  • Bramley’s Seedling, (Nottinghamshire): cooking apple, harvest October, flowering group 3; rootstock: M27;
  • Cox Orange Pippin, (Bristol- self fertile variety): eating apple, harvest October, flowering group 3; rootstock: M27, M9;
  • Egremont Russet, (Sussex): eating apple, harvest October, flowering group 2; rootstock: M27, M9;
  • Worcester Pearmain, (Worcester): eating apple, harvest September, flowering group 3; rootstock: M27.

More »

Posted in: Garden Forest, Join us as a Friend, Latest News, Our Projects |
Posted on: July 3, 2012

53 Rolls Royce Staff Get Stuck In

The bench making detail

53 Rolls Royce engineering staff from Britain, Saudi Arabia and India volunteered their time to improve The Retreat, a community woodland near Upton Cheyney. They constructed three benches, created a fantastic wildlife pond, removed many hundreds of tree tubes and stakes, and cut back overhanging vegetation. The sun managed to shine and a great day was had by all, refreshments being supplemented by mugs of tea cooked over a fire lit in the bushcraft manner.

More »

Posted in: Business Sponsor, Join us as a Friend, Latest News |
Posted on: May 21, 2012

Professor Alice Roberts

Forest of Avon Trust patron, Alice Roberts, joined the University of Birmingham as Professor of Public Engagement in Science in February. Alice is also Director of Anatomy for the NHS Severn Deanery School of Surgery and has most recently been seen on television in Mammoth: Secrets from the Ice.

Alice grew up on the edge of the wooded Blaise Castle Estate and still remembers playing amongst the majestic beech trees with her brother. She is committed to the positive role that trees and woodlands play in peoples’ lives and has been a patron of the Trust since its start in 2009.

Trust Executive Director, Jon Clark, said: ‘It is fantastic that Alice can find the time to combine her extensive academic work and the demands of a busy television career, with continuing support for the Forest of Avon Trust.’

To help support the Trust’s work for trees in and around Bristol, click here.

Posted in: Join us as a Friend, Latest News |
Posted on: March 19, 2012

New Hedge for Trendlewood Park, Nailsea

Alec French Architects Hard at Work

Bristol based Architects Alec French recently got dug in and planted a hedgerow of over 200 native shrubs and trees to further improve Trendlewood Park, Nailsea, They donated the plants to help offset their carbon emissions and also to make a real difference to the local area.

The project was coordinated by the Forest of Avon Trust and brought together the firm, the Friends of Trendlewood Park and the Park’s owners, North Somerset Council.

Jon Clark, Trust Executive Director said: ‘This is exactly what the Forest of Avon Trust is all about: putting people together, adding some time and guidance,  and making things happen’.

Posted in: Business Sponsor, Join us as a Friend, Latest News, Our Projects |
Posted on: March 15, 2012

Green Suburbs

Enjoying a well earned break after a day of planting & mulching

The sound of the Suburb’s Church, Cadbury Heath has recently included skips being filled. Pastor Michael Williams and members of the Church have transformed a green area and on the 6th March, the Trust helped them apply the finishing touches.

Michael, Nathan Duggan and Liam Thomas (and Jon Clark!) planted 180 native shrubs and barrowed numerous loads of mulch to keep the weeds down. The Trust co-ordinated the planting, with funding coming from a grant from Oldland Parish Council and free mulch from South Glos Council.

It’s a great project and demonstrates the Trust’s role in delivering more trees, more action.

Posted in: Join us as a Friend, Our Projects |