Garden Changes - Farewell to an old friend

A firm favourite in the garden, a Silver Birch tree that has presided over the Chantry garden for the last 100 years or so was felled this autumn.

We have been monitoring the tree for a few years now and, after doing some work on it over the past 12 months and consulting with the experts, the decision was made to remove the tree for safety reasons.

Over the years it has been a prime firework viewing point for local children, as well as providing a swing to the old playgroup; home to woodpeckers, squirrels and other creatures; and shade for countless parties and its unique shape will be missed.

We have kept the main trunk intact to provide a home, both for the birch polypore fungus that has appeared over the last couple of months, as well as for the various birds and beasts that have been attracted by the wood as it decomposes.

We've also retained some of the branches as minibeast habitat in one of the shaded areas of the garden, as well as keeping the chippings from the smaller branches to pave the paths that run around the wild area at the back.

Our thanks go out to Mike and the team at ARB Treeworks for all their help and advice, as well as for being on board with our plans for keeping as much of the tree on-site as possible!