Graham Hutchinson, Sidmouth Arboretum’s Planting Manager, and Jon Gardiner, one of East Devon’s Ranger, has planted Whitebeams at the Delderfield Nature Reserve in East Devon just before the second national lockdown.
The planting took place on Wednesday, 4th November which turned out to be a gloriously sunny day at Delderfield. One of the main tasks for the day was clearing brambles ready to plant three Devon Whitebeam trees. These trees were being planted as part of an initiative by Sidmouth Arboretum, using a grant from the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, who have obtained thirty trees which will be planted in about ten locations around the Sid Valley.
Devon Whitebeams are endemic to the British Isles and grow wild only in areas of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Ireland. The trees have great colours in the autumn and bear fruit, which is perfect for locals to make their own jams and jelly.
