Widgit Wilding Part III: Tree planting in Chesterton

March 2025

Across a week of bright and breezy March mornings, the Widgit team gathered for our latest rewilding adventure – this time, tree planting at a new site in Chesterton, Warwickshire.

Partnering with friends at local not-for-profit Oblong Trees, we made our way to the site, passing the recently restored Chesterton Windmill, now proudly turning with its brand new sails. Our destination was a beautiful field just outside the village, accessed via a short walk from St Giles Church. There we met Dan, our guide for the day, who gave us a full tour of the site before we got our hands dirty.

         

The land, now being transformed into a miniature nature reserve, was purchased in memory of the landowner’s daughter, who sadly passed away a few years ago. In her honour, the space is being nurtured into a haven for wildlife and local biodiversity. Wildflowers will soon fill the central area of the field, while our task was to help thicken and diversify the hedgerows around the perimeter – essential for creating shelter and food for local species.

A small river winds through the site, providing the perfect setting for wildlife to thrive. As we walked the land, Dan even shared that otters had been spotted nearby – a hopeful sign of improving habitat quality.

         

Our job for the day: plant a variety of trees and shrubs along the edges. Working in pairs, we followed a simple but effective planting method:

• Dig a hole using a spade
• Insert a bamboo cane alongside the young tree or shrub
• Pack in fresh soil around the roots
• Slide a cardboard guard over the plant and cane for protection

By mixing different species along the hedge line, we aimed to create a rich and varied habitat for birds, insects, and mammals. By the end of the morning, we’d planted just over a hundred trees and shrubs – an impressive effort between 9:30am and 12:30pm!

Afterwards, it was back to the office for the rest of the working day – a little muddier than usual, but with the warm feeling that comes from contributing to something meaningful. It was a truly lovely day to be outdoors, and a reminder of the positive impact we can have on our local environment – one tree at a time.

Stay tuned for more updates from team Widgit Wilding as we continue to support biodiversity and green spaces in our community.