A big helping hand to guide small seed growth

Small seedlings are being given a helping hand by our band of tree nursery volunteers this week.

The tree nursery volunteer community have been helping staff at the St Asaph site with ‘pricking out’ field maples. They have been carefully moving the tiny seedlings from a shared tray into individual modules to give them more room to develop roots and foliage. By replanting them they are also helping prevent weak growth and disease for the seedlings.

By transplanting them into Root Trainers, which have vertical ridges that encourage the roots to grow downwards and prevent pot bound circular growth. The trainers also allow the roots to be ‘air pruned’ at the base, encouraging lateral branching and fast healthy establishment.

Eventually when fully grown these field maples will provide food through their leaves for many species of moth and their flowers will give an important source of pollen for bees. The tree’s fruits also provide a source of food for small mammals.

If you would like to learn skills such as this and make new friends, you can volunteer at the tree nursery on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To join or for further information email biodiversity@denbighshire.gov.uk