Planting for the future

One of our aims since arriving here nearly four years ago has been to plant some trees on the land, and we're thrilled to say that this plan is finally coming to fruition this Spring with the launch of our Adopt-A-Tree programme. ​

The first 100 trees will be planted at the start of April by a group of volunteers from Buddhafield who are using the yurts as a base for a tree-planting retreat on land they own nearby. They have kindly offered to spend a morning planting trees for us at the yurts too. We can't wait to get digging! 

We will be sourcing native woodland trees from local nursery Perrie Hale in Honiton. We plan to boost our biodiversity by introducing trees that will benefit wildlife through their berries such as rowan and wild cherry and trees that are visually interesting such as spindle, aspen and silver birch.  

Over the last four years we've been gradually learning more about the folklore and traditions of our native British trees. We intend to share this with guests through our website and social media channels but also on site with a self-guided tree walk around the yurts spotting some of our beautiful trees and the wildlife that depends on them.

Did you know that each tree was believed by the Celts to have particular properties and spirits that were called upon to assist with certain issues? Much like in the same way that different trees have their own herbal properties to help with particular ailments and different properties of their wood making them suited to different purposes.

​That knowledge is in danger of being lost, but we will help to cling on to it and foster it for future generations in the same way that we are mere custodians of our landscape and will pass it on to those who follow after. After all the trees will long outlive us.  ​

The wheel of the year (above) is from The Sacred Tree by Glennie Kindred and shows the trees that are associated with each time of year, their Celtic name and letter in the Ogham alphabet as well as their associated traits and symbolism. Once we have confirmed the tree species we have available you may like to choose your tree depending on the underlying energy you wish for yourself or for your loved ones. 

We are delighted to announce the first 10 trees have been adopted by Beckworth Financial Services in Exeter (who very appropriately have a tree as their logo!). Thanks to Jonathan and team for getting us off to a flying start. ​

There are still 90 trees available for adoption so if you are interested please contact Katie on [email protected] or 01884 266699. Alternatively you can add a tree or two to your yurt booking. A fantastic way to offset the carbon involved in your travel to your holiday or to mark a special birthday or other celebration. 

Each tree costs just £10 and you will receive a photo of your tree once planted, a certificate (for you or your loved one, with a message & special date if desired) and a thank you card from us. You can opt out of communications by post to save paper should you wish.  ​

Read more about the Adopt a Tree Programme here...

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Suggested reading:

I've read some brilliant books either about trees or with trees as a central or side theme recently. You might like to dip in to these or share your own recommendations with us:

Wilding by Isabella Tree (what a brilliant name!) - documenting and celebrating the return of nature to a previously extensively-farmed landscape in Sussex, this book has a fascinating section on the lives of ancient oaks and how such trees are affected by soil compaction and ploughing. 

The Sacred Tree by Glennie Kindred - more a pamphlet than a book, this beautifully written and illustrated guide is a great introduction to trees and their Celtic traditions.

Earth Wisdom by Glennie Kindred - a more in-depth look at trees, their associations with the wheel of the year, their herbal and other uses.

Underland by Robert Macfarlane - although not solely about trees it does have a chapter on the latest research into the 'wood wide web' - the way in which trees communicate with one another through their roots and symbiotic fungi. Reality is more like the trees in the film Avatar than we ever would have imagined a few years back. 

​The Overstory by Richard Powers - I've not read it yet but am curious to do so. This novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019 and is reputedly "about nine Americans whose unique life experiences with trees bring them together to address the destruction of forests". 

Barkskins by Annie Proulx - Following centuries of European settlers in North America as they destroy the old growth forests in pursuit of profits, coming full circle to re-planting in an effort to undo the damage. A fascinating but harrowing read. 

Top image credit: © Copyright N Chadwick and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence