Adopt a Tree at Blackdown Yurts

Adopt a tree at Blackdown Yurts

Where?

The 30 acre farm on which Blackdown Yurts is located is called Halsbeer Farm. The name “Halsbeer” (or Halsbeare as it has previously been spelt) has its origin in the Saxon “Halh” meaning a remote recess, nook or valley and “Beuru”, which is Anglo-Saxon for a wood or grove so Halsbeer literally means “remote wooded valley”. It’s not quite as wooded now as it would have been in the past due to clearance of trees for agriculture. The 1841 tithe maps show a mosaic of meadows, arable fields and orchards on the land. Currently around 22 acres are pasture for sheep grazing and 5 acres (comprising what were known in 1841 as Yonder Hill, Hill Orchard and Small Hill) are effectively left to their own devices and are becoming colonised by scrub and trees again. We wish to help them on their way by planting some more trees in these areas, in the corner of one of the pastures, and along the boundary of the yurt field.

Why?

Now more than ever we feel responsibility to help mitigate and adapt to climate change. As landowners we have land available to plant trees to capture carbon, provide habitat and food for wildlife, and give much needed shade during the summer. We also wish to mitigate loss of ash trees on the farm to ash dieback, a fungal infection which is gradually killing our ash trees. We would love to give our guests the opportunity to contribute to the climate fight by adopting a tree. Your reasons will be unique to you but may include:

offsetting your carbon in travelling to the yurts;
marking a special occasion such as a significant birthday;
for your children's future;
in memory of a loved one.

What?

Initially we aim to plant 100 trees of a variety of species to give interest and biodiversity. To give them the best chance of survival trees must be planted during our closed season so you will not be able to plant the tree yourself but they will be located on a plan and you will be able to view them when you visit.

The cost is £10 per tree. You can add a tree to be planted to your holiday booking, or if you're not staying with us you are still free to adopt a tree. There is no minimum or maximum amount of trees you can adopt and you can choose which species of tree you'd prefer.

What will you receive?

You will receive a photo of your tree once planted, a certificate and a thank you card from us. If your tree is a gift, we can add a message to the certificate and a specific date. If you wish, your (or the recipients) name can be given on a list of adoptees on our website. You can opt out of paper correspondence by post and solely have emails should you wish. We will also send annual updates on your tree.

If you would like to adopt a tree as an add on to your holiday please click the button below. If you would like to adopt a tree without booking a holiday with us please contact Katie via email or call 01884 266699.

Adopt a Tree & book your 2020 Holiday with us here...

About the trees: Species may vary according to availability at the nursery
Oak - Quercus robur

Known as the king of trees or king of the forest, oak represents strength, courage, honesty and longevity. It provides a habitat for over 500 other species. Oak is associated with the Midsummer solstice in June. Sit with an oak when you are weary of life's challenges and it will renew your energies, give you strength and help you relish the simple pleasures of life. Oak is the seventh tree in the Celtic tree ogham alphabet 'Duir' and the seventh month in the Celtic tree calendar (10th June - 7th July).

Spindle - Euonymus europaeus

Spindle is a fairly small tree often found in scrub and hedgerows. Where it grows naturally (rather than being planted) it is an indicator of ancient woodlands. I first saw it or at least really noticed and studied it last year in a park in Exeter. Since then I have found one in a hedgerow on the farm but was really keen to get more as they are particularly stunning in the Autumn with striking pink and orange berries. As its name suggests the wood of spindle was used to make spindles for spinning and holding wool. Today it is used for high-quality artists' charcoal. Find out more here. Spindle is bring planted in a hedge along the yurt field along with many other native species such as blackthorn, hawthorn, dogwood, field rose, crab apple and hazel.

Rowan - Sorbus aucuparia

Also known as mountain ash, rowan is the "lady of the mountains'. In the past it was planted next to the house to provide protection against evil spirits, enchantments and illness. Before the tree planting programme to my knowledge we have only one rowan tree here at Halsbeer Farm, right by the entrance to the farm, so we are excited to plant more. Rowan helps to quicken your energy, intuition and creativity and feeling of connectedness. Birds love rowan berries and they look lovely too. Rowan is the second tree in the Celtic tree ogham alphabet 'Luis' and the second month in the Celtic tree calendar (21st Jan to 17th Feb).

Silver Birch and Downy Birch - Betula pendula and Betula pubescens

Birch is often the first tree to colonise new ground and represents new beginnings, birth, regeneration, hope, nourishment and cleansing. Known as the lady of the woods. Its bright bark shines out against blue sky and its delicate leaves shiver beautifully in a breeze. Downy birch is generally more upright and has browner bark than the silver birch. The leaf stalks are downy unlike in silver birch, hence the name. We have already released some birch from the threat of being overgrown by brambles and willow. We look forward to adding to them. It is the first tree in the Celtic tree ogham alphabet 'Beith' and the first month in the Celtic tree calendar (24th Dec to 20th Jan). Find out more about downy birch here.

Hornbeam - Carpinus betulus

Hornbeam can on first glance be confused with beech as their leaves are similar, but those of the hornbeam have a finely toothed edge, whereas those of beech are wavy. In winter its clusters of papery seeds are distinctive. Hornbeam produces incredibly strong wood, the Romans reputedly used it for their chariots. It was also used for yokes that connected a pair of ox together, perhaps the origin of its name - a beam between the horns - however it might also come from horn meaning hard and beam meaning tree. A tonic from hornbeam was thought to relieve exhaustion. Find out more here from The Woodland Trust.

Field Maple - Acer campestre

The UK's only native maple and home to plenty of wildlife including moth caterpillars, aphids, ladybirds and birds that feed on them. The sap of the field maple can be used to make maple syrup just like they do in Canada from Canadian maples. Maybe we will have to try that when the trees are big enough? According to this webpage from The Woodland Trust it was thought that in medieval times passing a maple branch over a child would remove traces of witchcraft. The Woodland Trust also has a delightful video of a field maple bursting into leaf which you can view here.

We will also be planting a few wych elm and small leaved limes.

Adopt a Tree & book your holiday with us here...

If you've got any questions about our tree adoption process, please do contact Katie on 01884 266699 or email her here.

A big thank you to our AdopTREEs (see what we did there):

Beckworth Financial Services of Exeter adopted TEN trees on 12th February 2020. Thank you.

Maria Thorne, Humanist wedding and naming ceremony celebrant adopted THREE trees on 7th March 2020.

ONE tree has been gifted to mark the birthday of Helen Bottrill who designed this website! And another for her daughter Lauren.

TWENTY FIVE trees have been adopted to mark the birth of a baby on 8 February 2020.