Holly
Holly is a much-loved tree closely associated with Christmas, and holly branches have long been used to decorate homes in winter. The tree was seen as a fertility symbol and a charm against witches, goblins and the devil. According to myth, King Oak and King Holly struggled for supremacy in the wood, and being evenly matched, eventually compromised by splitting the rule of the seasons!
Holly provides dense cover and good nesting opportunities for birds, its deep, dry leaf litter being used by hedgehogs and small mammals for hibernation. The small white flowers feed bees and other pollinating insects and the leaves are eaten by caterpillars of the holly blue butterfly and various moths, including the holly tortrix. The smooth leaves found at the tops of holly trees are a winter source of food for deer and the berries are a vital winter food source for birds and small mammals such as wood mice and dormice. Holly produces a hard, fine-grained white wood, good for furniture, engraving work and walking sticks; it also makes good firewood and burns with a strong heat.
National Tree Planting Week
Trees for Seaford will be planting 40 new trees during National Tree Planting week – 25th November to 2nd December. We’re planting at Quarry Lane, the Downs Leisure Centre, Blatchington Pond, and both Cuckmere House school sites! We’re looking forward to planting the trees with the Friends of Sutton Downs and Friends of Blatchington Pond volunteers, with the staff and students from Cuckmere House and of course, with Seaford residents!
Tree ‘TLC’
We have made good use of some of our grant money from the Ouse Valley Climate Action Fund – part of the National Lottery Community Fund to buy some new tools – loppers, trugs, digging forks, spades among them – for our volunteers. In the meantime, despite having to be flexible with dates due to the wild weather, we have continued with the regular ongoing care of our trees, with a November focus on the elms on Chyngton Way. We also renewed a large number of tree ties all over Seaford in the battle with the winds! Sadly, along with many other parties, we have also been involved in reviewing and learning from the recent vandalism to the newly planted trees in Walmer Road.
Join us!
We are still looking to welcome more volunteers to our ranks! As well as planting trees, we run regular tree care sessions, training sessions and social events. So don’t be shy, please get in touch! Roll up, roll up……
On behalf of all at Trees for Seaford, all best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas! Enjoy the trees, both inside and out!
Do get in touch via our email or Facebook
Email: treesforseaford@gmail.com
Website: treesforseaford.wordpress.com
FB: facebook.com./treesforseaford
