The season of vivid colour, woodsmoke, rustling leaves and fungi is now with us.
As the chlorophyll recedes with the shortening days, reds, oranges and yellows emerge in the tree canopy. Toadstools and mushrooms have traditionally had some negative associations, but we are now beginning to understand how important a role they play in natural ecosystems in cooperation with the trees.
Do take a closer look at the fungi and lichens you may find on your favourite tree or in the woodland leaf litter. Learn to identify just one or two new ones each season – apart from anything else they have some wonderful names – Scarlet Elf Cups, Earthstars and King Alfred’s Cakes are just a couple of my favourites found locally.
Look out for chances to join fungi walks run by various local groups such as Seaford Natural History Society or South Downs National Park.
Big Autumn Planting
We are getting ready for our big autumn tree planting at the end of November in National Tree Week. East Sussex County Council will be collaborating with Trees for Seaford and Balfour Beatty volunteers to put in 120 trees in Seaford under a scheme called the Urban Tree Challenge Fund. The main sites include Crouch Gardens, Stirling Avenue, Kingston Close, Valley Drive, Beacon Road, Cuckmere Road East, Barcombe and Findon Closes. We would like to thank the residents in those roads who have given their time and input in these planning stages. Two schools are also due to receive fruit trees: Cradle Hill and Tower House School, to add to the garden improvements made to the latter earlier this year.
The first planting will be at Crouch Gardens on Saturday, November 23rd from 10 am-1pm where we hope residents will also join us. Soup will be available at the adjoining Mercread Centre to fuel the helpers!
A resident from Saltwood Road, which has previously received trees, gave us the following feedback “The trees, now maturing, look wonderful. They have turned this fairly long, bland road into an avenue of green, adding much needed interest, softening and enhancing the landscape… thank you TFS”. We hope that residents in all the new roads will be equally pleased!
We Need You!
We are hoping to recruit a few more volunteers prior to National Tree Planting Week and are offering an evening tree-planting training/refresher session on Friday 15th November at Sutton Downs Community Centre – complete with refreshments! It’s great to get out in the fresh autumn air to move your body, make connections with others and beautify your town. There are lots of roles which don’t involve heavy work! If you are interested or want to ask questions, please contact us via Facebook or email.
Email: treesforseaford@gmail.com
Website: treesforseaford.wordpress.com
