To create diverse hedgerows, we’re planting a fruit tree every 200 meters. Last winter, we added a new apple and damson orchard at Low Park, an old farm of ours. Today, I’m putting in more fruit trees and checking the orchard. We got the damson trees from growers in Lyth Valley and the apple trees from a local group.
When I reach Low Park, I’m thrilled to see primroses blooming in the sheltered orchard, even while winter still holds other areas in its icy grip. Earlier this week, we had snow on the fells. I’m also intrigued by bright orange fungi, possibly witches’ butter, growing on some dead wood.
I’ve traveled a lot in my younger days, but now I find joy in staying put and observing nature’s gradual changes. Everyday, there’s something new to notice. The old farmstead is slowly being reclaimed by nature. Inside the buildings, bright green moss covers the surfaces, and polypody ferns are sprouting from old trees that have taken root in once roofed rooms. It feels like a temperate rainforest is evolving inside this old farmhouse.
It’s hard to believe that, not long ago, people lived here and went about their daily routines. Children crossed the River Lune in a wooden box suspended by metal cables just to get to school. The railway came close by, and the farm even had its own railway crossing until the M6 was built, cutting off access.
Now, broken cables from that old river crossing hang down, slowly being embraced by tree branches. Nature is steadily reclaiming this place and its farming history. As I ride my quad bike back home, I can’t help but wonder if one day, this landscape will fully revert to wilderness, and upland farming will just be a memory.
The balance between farming and nature continues to shift. As more people recognize the value of biodiversity, efforts like planting fruit trees can contribute to healthier ecosystems. According to the recent State of Nature report, nearly 41% of species in the UK are declining. This makes projects focused on planting and restoration even more vital.
For further insights into environmental conservation, check out resources like Natural England.
