What a difference the seasons make; as the weather has got cooler (and wetter), and trees move into their dormant phase, the changes are plain to see in the field.
It’s also plain to see the benefits that regular maintenance around the site have brought; as we all know it is imperative to keep the grounds in which the trees are growing well maintained – it is all too easy for vegetation to stifle the growth of the trees; fight for light, space and nutrients, hence regular tendering of the mini-forest remains a key activity for the Co-Treetment team.
And now of course it’s planting season, trees are in their ‘dormant’ phase as mentioned above.
So how do trees survive the winter?
Deciduous and coniferous trees have different strategies for surviving during the winter months. The most obvious difference is that deciduous trees, like birches, oaks, maples) lose their leaves in the autumn in a process called abscission that shuts down photosynthesis, whereas evergreen conifers photosynthesise all year round. There are also similarities though, with both types of tree going into a dormant state overwinter and stopping new growth aboveground.
Deciduous trees are more efficient at photosynthesis than coniferous trees as their leaves are thinner with a larger surface area. They do not keep the leaves over winter because there is much less daylight for photosynthesis, the leaves will die if frozen, and keeping them would increase the risk of snow and wind damage to the tree.
In the autumn, deciduous trees are triggered to start losing their leaves by shortening daylength, and the abscission process is then accelerated by falling temperatures.
The silver birches in our field in part survive as sunlight can penetrate the thin outer bark where there is enough chlorophyll for photosynthesis. The silver birch has bark that peels away and lets in more light. And the leaf buds and twigs of many trees can also make food by photosynthesis, even if only for a week or two before the buds open, a welcome boost just as spring gets going.
If you feel like helping us to make a difference then please visit our site and order some trees, it is simple and an effective way to help us in planning the future for the field and in putting #PlanetBeforeProfit
To all our existing customers we’d like to say many thanks and to any potential customers we look forward to working with you.
Simon Evans, Darrell Taylor, Keith Cox

Looking from the main entrance to the Trent Barton bus corner.

Looking at the AMG site from the top of the field to the bottom.

From the top gate looking out towards AMG area.