Many of the hedges have been neglected over the years and have been allowed to become overgrown so we have been helping bring these back into good condition by using the traditional method of hedge laying.

This involves cutting part way through the main stem to create a ‘pleach’ which is then laid at an angle, so lowering the height of the hedge. As the hedge plants regrow they make a barrier that is easily maintained using shears or a hedge trimmer.

The trees were planted with help from Urban Pastures, part of Framework Housing Association and were planted as part of a project being delivered by Summerwood Community Garden in partnership with Trees for Cities, with funding from Big Tree Plant.

Trees for Cities is an independent charity, which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. It recently celebrated 20 years and to date they have planted over 500,000 trees, engaged 65,000 volunteers and worked in 28 cities. Their project aims are to plant fruit & nut trees and native woodland tree whips with local residents and community groups, run workshops to train people to plant and maintain edible trees and plants, engage young people and adults as direct volunteers in tree planting activities and to engage corporate volunteers from local companies.

Summerwood Community Garden is Clifton’s first community garden. Their aim is to provide a relaxing environment for local residents and community groups to grow fruit and vegetables in a fun and sociable way.

The trees planted at Vernon Park included Apple, Pear, Plum, Damson, Prune, Quince, Medlar and Gage.

Urban Pastures strike again! This time at the Martin Jackaman Centre.

Ranger John and Ranger Simon were asked to design a suitable planting scheme to renovate several areas of the site and the volunteers ripped out a large bed and installed new plantings designed to excite the senses. Numerous planters and troughs were also planted for seasonal colour.

They certainly get around! Urban Pastures have also been working with Ranger Craig on an ongoing project in Broxtowe Wood which began the previous winter with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV). This included path improvements and woodland management. 

One of the main tasks carried out has been improvements to the path which runs around the woods. This has included maintenance to drainage work already carried out on the path and edging the path with logs to make it more defined and easier to follow.

Work has also continued to bring the old hazel coppice back into management, which means cutting it back to encourage vigorous new growth which is then harvested on a cycle of several years. What this means in practice, is that ultimately there will be areas of hazel coppice within the woodland at different stages of growth, providing a variety of habitats and boosting the biodiversity of the woodland.

Our very own Major Oak at Sherwood Forest is in the running along with 13 others from across Europe. Currently in 7th place, every vote counts so log on and give our old Oak a boost!

Awarded tree of the year 2014 by the Woodland Trust, this Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) is believed to be 800-1000 years old. The tree weighs around 23 tonnes with a trunk circumference of 10m and has a branch spread of 28m. Because of its national importance, conservation measures to the tree have been carried out continually since 1908. Today, slender steel poles prop the sprawling limbs of this forest giant. Epic indeed!   

Other wonderful specimens include Newton’s Apple Tree, the Parliament Oak and the Pilgrim Oak.

Newton's Apple tree can be found in the garden of Woolsthorpe Manor, a National Trust property in Lincolnshire. This is the tree from which it is said that Newton saw an apple fall in the late summer of 1666, inspiring him to reflect upon the idea of gravity.

The Parliament Oak can be found in Clipstone and originally acted as a boundary marker at Clipstone’s Royal Deer Park. The tree once had a girth of 25 feet and is considered to be possibly the oldest tree in Sherwood Forest, believed to be older than 1000 years. 

The Pilgrim Oak can be found in Newstead Abbey and it is said that pilgrims would stop at the tree to read gospels before continuing to the Abbey (or Priory as it would have been known at the time).

From the big to the small!

This is also a Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur), the same as the Major Oak but unlike the Major, it is just starting out! Ranger Steve D. planted the tree with Lord Mayor Ian Malcolm and Councillor Chris Gibson.  

It was planted in a little patch of woodland called New Close Plantation in Clifton. The plantation is about to receive some much needed love and that includes plantings of native trees such as this one and also creating a wildflower meadow. 

It is the nature of some plantations that they be used for timber, so any trees lost will become log edges in order to define a path network. Some will also be carved into benches so visitors and passers-through the plantation can rest their legs and stay a while.   

Three years ago 45 ancient lime trees had to be felled on Queen's Walk in the Meadows to allow for tram works.

Local residents took action and saved the felled trees, stored them and went on to secure funding to tell the Meadows story in a series of wood carvings.

After lots of conversations with Meadows residents, young and old, three artists, Dan Sly, Karl Wilby and Mark Manders, drew up designs for 12 story poles each with a different theme to be installed on Queen's Walk.

This month saw the last wood carving installed at the top of Queen's Walk depicting the young Queen Victoria as she looked down the walk named after her in 1850. She had passed through Nottingham on her way from Chatsworth House to go to Belvoir Castle.

The carvings tell the story of Meadows people from sport to transport to youth and there is something to interest everyone.

For more details on the project you can contact Pat Thomas on patgutt@hotmail.com or go to the project's facebook page - Queen's Walk story poles.

Pat has lots of information and children’s quiz sheets at the pavilion on Queen's Walk Recreation Ground in the Meadows. You can drop in on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm and on a Saturday between 11am and 1pm and guided walks of the story poles can also be arranged.

So why not come along to one of our sessions and have a go at making one to put up in the park.

They are at the following places;

Radford Recreation Ground on Monday 16th February meeting near the play area. NG7 3HF

Bulwell Hall Park on Tuesday 17th February meeting near the golf pavilion. NG6 7GF 

Lenton Recreation Ground on Wednesday 18th February meeting near the play area. NG7 2DP  

Clifton Central Park on Thursday 19th February meeting near the fitness area. NG11 8AB

All sessions run between 11am and 1pm and you can find more details on the What's On web page.

Kicking off with 'Natural Art' which takes place on Monday 16th February at 11am. Have a go at using leaves, sticks, stones and other natural objects to make a really wild work of art!

You can then become an 'Orienteering Xplorer' on Friday 20th February at 11am. This is a great introduction to the sport with easy to follow maps. Fun for all the family!

All activities meet at the pavilion (NG5 2BU), please book ahead if possible by calling 0115 915 2733 or 07508 439050 or e-mail matt.akers@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

For more details about any of these activities, please check out the What's On web page.

Coppice Park benefited recently when around 200 volunteers from Experian descended on the park to help renovate several areas.

New steps were put in adjacent to the Ransom Road entrance and both playgrounds benefited by being painted. One of the playgrounds also had a new membrane fitted along with new bark chippings put down.

Work was also undertaken to open up sight lines around the park to make the site feel more open and to give people a greater sense of security. Further sessions are proposed for this year.

If you or your company fancies a day volunteering with us, please get in touch and we will do our best to get you out of the office and into your scruffs!