Some of the trees we planted during the first week of December. The Friends group have now completed our sessions of winter planting in Crabtree Fields. This past week we planted nearly 100 saplings, thanks to the The Conservation Volunteers Dig Trees’ scheme which supplied the trees. In November we planted 30 trees provided by … Continue reading Over a hundred trees planted this autumn and winter at Crabtree Fields
In flower: loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) flowers in late autumn but is unlikely to bear any fruit. If you take a wander through Crabtree Fields at the moment you may be lucky to smell the fragrant blossom of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica). Native to China and widely grown in Japan it is often referred to as Japanese loquat. In … Continue reading In flower: loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
Thirty saplings for hedges planted in Crabtree Fields
Ready to plant. 30 saplings and tree planting spade. This morning we planted 30 saplings at Crabtree Fields to increase the density and amount of native hedgerows -- including six crab apple trees. In all we planted six each of crab apple (Malus sylvestris), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), dog rose (Rosa canina), and … Continue reading Thirty saplings for hedges planted in Crabtree Fields
Autumn and winter maintenance and planting at Crabtree Fields
Vegetation around the park has been trimmed. The Friends group and Camden's contractor idverde have completed the first stage of the autumn and winter pruning of hedges at Crabtree Fields in readiness for planting of new trees and shrubs. The autumn trim will make it easier to sweep the hard surface areas. The vines on … Continue reading Autumn and winter maintenance and planting at Crabtree Fields
Sightings of bats in Crabtree Fields
Common pipistrelle bat. Source: Barracuda1983 / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) Bats are roosting in or near to Crabtree Fields public open space and can be seen flying among the trees shortly after sunset. Three positive sightings of either common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) or soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) bats have been made during August. These two species … Continue reading Sightings of bats in Crabtree Fields
Snowdrops, daffodils and a new hawthorn tree in Crabtree Fields
Spring is on its way in Fitzrovia's open spaces. The Friends planted a number of different woodland-floor flowers last year and the first of those are blooming now. Snowdrops have been out for a couple of weeks and daffodils are starting to bloom. Expect to see more surprises popping up later this spring. Camden Council … Continue reading Snowdrops, daffodils and a new hawthorn tree in Crabtree Fields
Saturday morning clean up and wildflower planting in Whitfield Gardens
Volunteers from the Friends group spent an hour cleaning and planting in one part of Whitfield Gardens this Saturday morning. The volunteers did a "community clean up" and worked with Camden Council's contractors Veolia and idverde. On a rainy morning the Friends cleared a bin bag full of rubbish at the foot of the Fitzrovia … Continue reading Saturday morning clean up and wildflower planting in Whitfield Gardens
Native hedge planting in Whitfield Gardens and Crabtree Fields
This month volunteers from the Friends group have been planting native hedges in Whitfield Gardens and Crabtree Fields to replace missing or damaged shrubs. In early April we planted around 50 bare root saplings: mostly blackthorn, with a mix of hawthorn, hazel, field maple, wild cherry and dog rose in two areas of Whitfield Gardens … Continue reading Native hedge planting in Whitfield Gardens and Crabtree Fields
Wildflower planting at Whitfield Gardens, Saturday 7 April 2018
Following up from our winter planting, we have been successful with an application for native wildflower seeds which Camden parks are encouraging Friends’ groups to get involved with. Come and join our planting morning this Saturday when we'll be sowing five collections of wildflower seeds in an area of Whitfield Gardens that we've specially prepared. Field Flowers: … Continue reading Wildflower planting at Whitfield Gardens, Saturday 7 April 2018
