Transcript of a taped conversation on 30 July 1981 in which Peter Caddy is talking about Trees at the Findhorn Foundation.

THE BEGINNING – 1963-1981

Our first realization came about the importance of trees when we had a very strong northerly wind which swept through the garden and did a lot of damage. I realized that we needed a shelter belt of trees. This would be around 1964 right at the beginning when the first garden was created. Fortunately we had a neighbour, old Mr Wilkie, who was passionately fond of trees. He told us that they planted about 200 trees each weekend, long before they built their house next door, to provide a shelter belt around the house for the time when they would build it and live there. Because of course without this shelter belt of trees the Findhorn Garden could never have been established with the strong salt laden, westerly winds. He showed us how to plant trees, he initiated us into it, making cross cuts and then putting the trees in and encouraged us to plant this first shelter belt. Now this was planted in very fine sand without any humus, completely dry. So every day for about three months, Dorothy and I at the end of the day used to go up and water these trees with watering cans, and so the first trees at Findhorn were planted. This shelter belt is between the wild garden and the sanctuary, and is now about fifteen or sixteen feet high and provides shelter for the whole of the garden.

The next group of trees that were planted was a small orchard next door to the shelter belt and about 4 ft deep holes had to be dug. Chopped up, inverted turf was added to the bottom then manure and compost to give these trees a really good start. I think it’s pointless planting fruit trees in this dry, sandy, poor soil without taking such measures. Then, as has been told in the Findhorn Garden, we planted 21 different kinds of fruit trees and Dorothy made contact with the Deva of those particular trees. In a sheltered space in what is now the wild garden we planted two hazelnut trees with the hope of growing nuts, but we found we are too far north and the wood did not ripen, neither did the nuts. We found that peaches, apricots, and pears were not successful without a wall, such as a brick or stone wall to absorb the heat and reflect it back – they just wouldn’t ripen. We also planted a fig tree and a vine because Eileen had had guidance that the climate here would change, but unfortunately no indication was given as to when that would take place – it may be in a few hundred years time. Anyway, they both died. We planted a black morello tree which was very successful in producing cherries for jam. The greengage tree has produced a few greengages each year but it really needs a plum tree, a Victoria plum tree, to fertilize it and I’m not sure what’s happened to that now.

Another shelter belt was of coniferous trees which was planted on the east side of the garden to shelter it from the strong easterly winds. After that we were sheltered to the west, to the north and to the east, and I didn’t think that we had a southern wind until in the summer we had a howling southerly gale that did a lot of damage in the garden. I therefore planted a hedge of Cotoneaster, we call our cabbage hedge. Because we, as usual, hadn’t got any money, the way this was done was to plant a row of spring cabbages, 9 inches apart and we would sell them for 9d each which enabled us to buy a Cotoneaster plant for 9d and planted it every 9 inches. So, the spring cabbages exactly paid for the Cotoneaster hedge which grew up to be a shelter belt along the southern side of the vegetable garden. And so the vegetable garden is completely encircled by trees and shrubs.

The next extension of the garden was Joanie’s bungalow which was surrounded by a fence and inside the fence were planted climbing shrubs along the southern front. Then to shield the lawn, where we used to have tea, a variety of prunus, or flowering cherries, were planted and these have now grown to considerable height but originally their intention was to provide shelter from the strong westerly wind. Then to the west of Joanie’s garden there is just a piece of rough grass. I wanted to plant this area and create a garden and I was told that I would know what to do. I didn’t. Then at the first opportunity I asked Pan what should go in this corner, he told me through Roc that I would know what to plant – whatever I planted he and his kingdom would look after and make sure that it grew. So there I was on all sides being told that I would know what to plant, and I didn’t. Then one day I went with Joanie round to the local nursery and I saw a beautiful horse-chestnut tree. Suddenly the vision came to me, that in the centre would be this horse-chestnut tree, in each corner would be a coniferous tree and in between there would be rhododendrons and azaleas interplanted with heath. I saw this just in a flash and this in fact is what was planted. But of course, this didn’t make sense putting a massive tree, like a horse-chestnut tree, that would grow to such a massive size in this restricted place. Well, this chestnut tree was a true example of what can be done when man cooperates with nature and really loves a tree because it grew from 10 to 12 inches each year and it was a size. It provided a centrepiece for a new garden around the 7 cedarwood bungalows, there was a place for it there, and we transplanted it. After that it didn’t grow so much because it didn’t get the love and attention that everybody gave to it as they passed it – it had been loved, this magnificent horse-chestnut tree. (Vance – this tree was split in half by a NE gale in the winter of 1975-76, the same gale that blew down the famous Eucalyptus tree).

The next thing that happened was Monica Parish wanted to give us a lime (tilia) tree for the bees. The only place that lime tree could go was to make a screen of trees just outside the hedge that I’d planted and I didn’t want to do this because I’d had enough of digging for one year. But I was really forced, in late spring about June (which is really too late to plant), to create this bed along the whole length of that hedge and plant it with trees. After that Pan said that we had made greater progress in the garden than was ever anticipated. These trees were lime trees, a white bloom and a purple ochre. Then the next year a whole bed was created for acid loving plants with a lot of peat and there I planted the rhododendrons, all kinds of heaths and interplanted with lilies. About that time I sent away for several Eucalyptus trees and one was planted on the end of the bed, this would be about 1965. It grew magnificently, so much so that after the Earl of Bradford had advised us to lop it at the top and Len, the garden focaliser, had an intuition that he should do that, but he didn’t, and that weekend we had a tremendous storm and the tree was blown down. (It was guyed up, but blown down for good in winter of ’75–76).

When our first caravan (currently, 1984, Eileen’s caravan across from the CC) was in position just with grass all the way round, the birch tree was planted with two sentinels, Golden Yew and a Common Yew which have really grown beautifully. The eucalyptus tree did grow for about 10 years. Going west- ward (next to what is now the Lighthouse), because of the strong westerly winds, I planted a row of beautiful Cupressus trees of different forms and colours and these have now grown to about 16 or 17 feet high. Then at the back of these as a further shelter belt we planted shrubs and a variety of trees, again to provide shelter for the garden because without this shelter everything got damaged and blown down. And then south from here, after we’d had a visit from the Earl of Bradford who was the President of the Soil Association and a big landowner in Scotland, he gave us a present of Leylandii and Macrocarpa trees and these were put in to make a hedge shielding the southern part of the extended garden and each side of a path leading out to the road. (next to what is now Augusta’s, formerly Mary Coleman’s) This I would think would be around 1970/71.

We’ve moved now to a belt of trees that were planted outside the Caravan Park, between the Caravan Park and the road. These were planted about 1972/3 to provide a shelter belt from the very strong prevailing wind. And then inside Mary Coleman’s garden, she planted the Cotoneaster hedge inside the fence with various trees. More trees, Silver Birches, etc. were planted between the caravans on this western side of the Caravan Park. These trees were vitally needed as shelter belts from the wind and also to provide screens in between the caravans and to beautify the place.

Then going eastwards to protect the herb garden we planted a thick Cotoneaster hedge to provide shelter from the strong westerly winds and this has proved most effective. The main tree in the herb garden, right in the centre is a very small Bay tree which has grown now to a considerable size. Then in the bed screened by the Macrocarpa hedge was planted the first Redwood (Metaseguoia Glyptostroboidea, Dawn Redwood) which is the tree St Barbe Baker was so excited about. (needs lots of water!) And in this bed again a variety of trees and shrubs including a Golden and Common Yew, and various Cupressus trees and heather which of course is such a blaze of glory in the autumn. Also planted here was a Tree of Heaven, Ailanthusaltissenia.

And now we come to the gardens around the 7 mobile cedarwood bungalows. Let’s just point out some of the most exciting tree stories to tell. We had been told by the Devas that it was important to have trees in our garden, as wide a variety as possible because each tree anchors a different energy and the more trees that you have and the larger they grow, the more light is anchored. Trees are most important, then shrubs. So the bigger variety of trees and shrubs that we have, more energy, nature energy, light energy is anchored in the garden.

In April, I think about 1968, I saw an advertisement for a collection of deciduous trees in the Sunday Times. Now I asked Eileen to get guidance as to whether we should order these trees. It didn’t make much sense because deciduous trees should not be planted after the end of March. (can do so until May, actually) Her guidance was that I should get them. Well they arrived on 25 May (too late) having been for 10 days travelling from a nursery on the south coast of England. They had started to fruit, they had leaves on which of course had all died and they were a sorry sight. I planted them here in the northeast of Scotland and in the teeth of the north eastern gale. The soil was almost pure sand. At that time both Dorothy and Roc were in the Community, and the help of the Devas was invoked and they could see the pouring down of energy. At the same time Roc saw gnomes and elves all helping, anchoring energy in the roots. All of these trees survived, not one of them failed. All of them now are magnificent, some of them were transplanted to the garden at the Park. Of course the reason why Eileen had guidance to get these trees was because humanly speaking it was impossible for them to survive, but it just demonstrated what could be done when man invoked the help of, and received the cooperation of the Devas and Nature Spirits.

The next trees we’ll talk about are a crop of Silver Birch trees that were planted outside the most northerly bungalow (Godfray’s). When I put them in, our several amateur gardeners and one professional gardener thought they had little hope of surviving and look at them now. They must be about 25 feet, they all grew and are now thick stemmed Silver Birches. So within the next few years many trees and shrubs were planted in between the bungalows to create not only shelter belts and to beautify but also to separate each bungalow, and round the outside was planted a beech hedge. Now beeches do not usually grow in such dry sandy soil, exposed to the winds here, but they all survived. It was interesting – many of them looked dead and we would go round with Roc and he would use a pendulum to determine whether there was life force still in that small tree, and where there was a little life force then he would spend time pouring down energy into the tree. One or two were replaced.

Inserted outside what was the Universal Bungalow (Lyle and Liza’s), sheltered by the beech hedge, was planted our first tree (a Macrocarpa) to the extension of the garden by Richard St Barbe Baker on his 80th birthday in a ceremony together with Dr L Beam, the Chairman of Moray and Nairn County Council. That would be 1969. On that visit he gave a lot of advice about the planting of trees. For example he suggested that we observe what was grown locally first of all and then plant those trees. For example, at our Community Centre we alternately planted a row of Mountain Ash and White Beam (both Sorbus) both of which do well in this part of the world. They have done really well again providing shelter but they have had to be trimmed because of the force of the wind, (had to reduce the soil, by lessening the framework of the Rowan in 1976).

Another very interesting experiment was the bed between the road and the fence going round Joanie’s bungalow. It used to have wall flowers planted there and then spring bedding out plants which took a lot of energy. I wanted to plant bush roses and we happened to have a friend of the Community that would come up quite frequently and she had a very skeptical husband who was a Guards Officer and a Church of England Minister and he thought Findhorn was a whole lot of nonsense. But he was one of the rose experts of Britain so in order to invite him in a bit I invited him to design a border of bush roses. A year and a half later he came up to visit and his eyes nearly popped out of his head, he was amazed because all these roses were flourishing but he said “They shouldn’t be flourishing here, I purposely gave you the names of roses that wouldn’t grow in this climate and in this soil.” After that he was a firm supporter of Findhorn and became our rose adviser.

Well, we’re back again in the garden around the bungalows. A shelter belt of flowering trees, (Prunus, Crab-apple, etc.), were planted in a bed going in front of the fence and wall around Joanie’s bungalow. These now provide a nice shelter for the garden. And then in front of Evelyn’s bungalow we planted 3 Golden Cupressus trees. They are growing up beautifully, shielding the garage, providing more shelter. Walking round the garden now I must admit that some of the trees are planted too closely. The intention was to plant more closely to begin with and then to be thinned out as they grew. Of course by planting the trees closely we’ve now got almost complete shelter between these bungalows which are really positioned very closely together, but we were careful in the design of it so that you wouldn’t look into another person’s window. The original plan worked out wonderfully with the use of trees. Without trees you couldn’t have a garden here. With them we would feel so secure, protected and so filled with energy. I’m afraid I’m walking now in the rockery and some of the trees that we thought were miniatures are by no means miniatures. One or two of them are, but they’ve grown too big for the rockery. I think about 3 poplar trees were planted, but I think that’s a mistake because they do absorb too much energy and humus food from the soil. Also they get blown over or get their tops blown when they get too tall. It’s interesting to note that two Mountain Ash (Rowan) trees sometimes have been planted on each side of the entrance path to a bungalow and according to Roc this is an ancient custom in Scotland to ward off evil spirits and negative energies. So beside each bungalow these two Mountain Ash trees have been planted at the entrance.

I now go through the three bungalows across the road. Again these were planted with many trees and it’s exciting that an Oak tree, another Lime and in between a Holly tree are growing well and are really well established. Outside Rose Cottage (now Caroline Shaw’s bungalow), was a willow which has grown enormously and now dominates the garden, (planted in about 1970). In the eastern end of this part of the garden a Cotoneaster hedge is planted to screen from the strong easterly wind on the outside, and further to the South I planted a number of trees in a very dry bank. Some have survived, but not all. We really wanted to have a shelter belt of trees right the way round the garden on this eastern side. Most of these trees have really grown up and dwarf the caravans and bungalows and again provide a lot of shelter, and are intertwined with climbing roses, honeysuckle and quite a wide variety of shrubs. The triangular shaped bed to the south of these three bungalows (next to Doris’s) was planted with two Buckthorn (a male and a female) which are a very good shelter belt where there is a lot of salt air and where it’s very dry. A variety of shrubs were planted, or trees, particularly Cupressus trees which have now grown up and are making quite a fine display. Then outside our bungalow (Caddy’s) quite a wide variety of shrubs and shrub roses were planted, including a Golden Yew, Corylus, and the shrub roses, Prunus Pissardii, and a white Cotoneaster which is quite unusual, and a very colourful Buddleia and the creepy curly Hazel.

We move to the lawn at the back of the Community Centre, and right in the centre of that is a Glastonbury Thorn which Ronald Hever and Polly Wood gave to the Community. In fact Polly Wood brought it up here and we had a special ceremony to plant this tree linking two of the main spiritual centres in Britain; Glastonbury and Findhorn. (This was formerly next to the southern fence, and too cramped, Vance and Fred replanted it in the centre of the lawn in 1977, where it has flourished.) Going round the outside of this garden, shrubs, climbing roses and a couple of Cupressus trees and climbing shrubs like Jasmine and Clematis were planted to cover the wall and it is pretty well covered now. There is a flat Cotoneaster, normally planted in rockeries, planted out around the caravan there to screen it and I think it’s done that very successfully.

And now we come to the Park. The garden here was originally laid out by Captain Gibson who planted an avenue of Scots Pine and also he and I in fact planted a triangular bed with Cupressus shrubs and a Cedrus Atlantica Glauca. To the south of the rockery this was just a sandy hillock with long grass and a tall fence around it. So we took the fence down and transplanted quite large trees, those which I originally got from the nursery on the south coast of England, and quickly established a garden with acid loving plants; rhododendrons, azaleas, and heaths.

On Sir Richard St Barbe Baker’s first visit was a time when we were beginning to move into Pineridge, and we sought his advice about planting trees up at Pineridge. The advice he gave was to observe what would grow locally in this climate and this soil, plant these trees round the outside to create a miniature mini climate, and when that had been done then inside that ring could be planted deciduous trees and other more delicate trees, and this is what we have in fact done. On the way to Pineridge I did plant a number of pine trees on the right hand side of the road, but because they are a long way to water, only one has survived. Also a Horse Chestnut was planted and it got its top broken off and didn’t make much headway for years now it seems to have got going. It’s interesting to note on the way to Pineridge, as you look to the south, there is a thick copse of trees round Johnny Bichan’s house and an avenue of trees along the road. These were planted as a result of a talk I had with Johnny Bichan urging him to plant shelter belts on his farm and to protect his house and garden, and without that shelter belt he wouldn’t be able to grow a garden. I’m glad to see the result of that advice. At Pineridge, you may remember Eileen had a vision for craft studios with homesteads on the other side of the road and the first bungalow up here was Gillian’s bungalow at the far end, (Amanda’s). After the bungalows had been erected the next thing was to plant gardens round, and particularly trees, trees on the west end to provide a copse and a shelter belt because the whole area is very exposed. Now these trees have grown up to a height of about 20 feet. They do really provide a shelter belt. Beside each of the studios we planted Cupressus trees because the soil was so poor and we wanted the minimum amount of work. Low growing shrubs with wood chips on top to keep the weeds down and conserve the moisture, to conserve work! Unfortunately people have allowed other weeds and plants to grow there as well, which is a pity.

So this pretty well ends the tour of the trees that I’ve planted ending with the trees and shrubs around the studios and the bungalows at Pineridge. I don’t have a hand in the planning of other trees at Pineridge. So to end up I’d like to stress the information that the Devas have given us about the importance of trees, how each tree anchors a particular energy for mankind. They are like a conductor of this energy from the Cosmos into the Earth in addition to giving out radiance, the inner light radiances, and giving us their gifts of their beauty and their shelter. I’m very glad that Vance has been able to rekindle this tree energy and keep planting, establishing nurseries, and doing things locally as well.

***

This chapter is a copy of Talking Trees by Dorothy Maclean from the original Findhorn Garden published in 1970. Click here to read this chapter.

Notes made by Vance Martin in May-June, 1984

Tree Notes on the Pineridge Gardens (1974-1984)

Pineridge Central Gardens (The Mound)

Many trees and shrubs on the mound of the central Pineridge gardens were planted between 1975-1977. Most of these were remnants of the propagation programme undertaken in 1972 by the garden group (the Blackpool Group). In 1974, when we began to landscape this central area, we were also faced with an immense amount of propagated material in all corners and all available standing out ground throughout the central garden area. Some of it had already gone past usefulness, being in the pots too long, and were consigned to the burnpile. Quite a bit of it was planted out in this central garden area however, in order to just get the ground covered and hopefully begin to grow a dense and green mantle. Only a little bit of thought was given to those trees and shrubs which were ideally suited to the area, and we figured the hardiest would survive. In fact this has happened, and some of the ones that are obviously suited to dry, windy conditions are Santolina, Broom, Olearia (Haasti) various conifers, pines (not good for spruce), Birch and, of course, the hardy gorse. What has happened over the years is that the amount of conifers that we planted became more evident, and we began to realise that in 20 years time this would form a shade barrier in the winter for those houses and bungalows on the north side of them. Therefore one of the efforts has been to replace these conifers with decidiuous trees, albeit slowly.

In 1984 I have replaced many of the old brooms with newer stock (Praecx alba and gold, Daisy Miller and Burkwoodii). The broom is a perfect nurse plant for trees as it is a legume, grows well in these conditions, and provides the initial shelter for small trees.

In the very central well of the gardens is a Quercus Robur (formerly Q. Pedunculata, the English Oak). I planted this as a 3 year old tree in 1977, and Kate and I were married around it in August, 1977. This tree celebrated our marriage and the birth of Farren, all of which occurred rather close together! To the side of it, on the wall, is a self-sown birch, and 10 feet away from this is a wee Chestnut that just might make it!

2004
In the western “well” where there is now the Nature Sanctuary, there is an Ash (FRAXINUS) on the opposite side to the sanctuary, on top of the stove wall. I planted this in 1979 upon the birth of my daughter, Felicia, and to complement the Oak tree in the other well (Ash is more feminine, Oak masculine). Anna Barton moved the Ash 2 years later so sacred dance could use the well for Tai-chi lessons.

The coniferous windbreak on the south and west side of the mound was planted in 1977, on the suggestion and to the design of St Barbe Baker. Consisting of four types of pine, Lodge Pole, Corsican, Mountain and Scots. Again, as they grow taller it is evident that they will shade the north side too much in the winters to come, so they have been interplanted with hybrid poplar, birch (Papyifera and Lutea), alder (A. Incana), a couple of Robina Pseudoacacia, wych elm (Ulmus Glabra), sea buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides). Prior to 1990 the existing conifers should be well thinned, for christmas trees and other foilage, to two or three small groups along the south ridge, and thinned to windbreak density on the west side. The windbreak on Mr Wilkies land around the north west and east sides, were planted by the senior Mr Wilkie and his son, Alastair, (circa. 1950).

Other Pineridge Features

Around the Matchbox caravan, you’ll find a Eucalyptus and a Cedrus Deodara, planted by Roy and Muriel, circa. 1970. Around Chez Albert is a Eucalyptus planted by Fiona Parr (1983). Behind the studios one finds a number of Macrocarpa, planted by the first group of studio artisans, circa. 1971. (Macrocarpa is very well suited to this environment and more use could be made of it in the future, but no so that it blocks sunlight in the winter). Other varieties behind the studios are birch, white beam (Sorbus Aria), hawthorn (Crategus). A nice cedrus at. glauca at Mary Ingles, and cedrus deodara and eucalyptus at Matchbox.

Around my bungalow (originally” “Macpherson (Green”) there is a Tulip Poplar in the front, on the roadside, (Liriodendron Tulipifera). In my back garden there is a Quercus Rubrum in the lawn between my bungalow and the Sunseed caravan, and Balsam Poplar and Populas Robusta which were inserted as cuttings in 1977. They have done rather well, and are examples of the type of growth one can expect from these hybrid poplars, given ideal conditions. I have planted these and other deciduous trees on the mound, just outside my back garden, with the aim of having them eventually supercede the poplar and birch inside my garden. There are several fruit trees, the two Victoria Plums and one Czar Plum.
There are a number of apple trees throughout Pineridge, none of which have done very well with the exception of those around the Sleath’s bungalow. Generally the sand and dryness is not conducive to fruits in Pineridge and they need compost and watering. A lot of these apple trees were planted by George and Frances Ripley circa. 1979-80 and some by myself (those three around my bungalow in 1983).

Behind Anna Barton’s bungalow, next to the path, is an unusual oak tree. Brought up here as a seedling from Cornwall in 1974, it is very erect and handsome, the foliage turns brown and stays on all winter, until spring. It has not been identified. There is a nicely growing chestnut close to it.

Studio Gardens

In front of the Adkinson’s bungalow, across from the first studio, is a group of coniferous trees planted in 1971 as initial shelter. It is badly in need of thinning in order to make a specimen and of the larch tree there.

Around the Sleath’s are various unusual deciduous trees planted by them in 1982. The on Acer Brillantissimum (not my favourite tree, I’m sorry to say) and the other Liriodendron Tulipifera (besides the one in front of my house).

Outside the Barr’s bungalow, about 15 feet from their bathroom window is an Abies Koreana, our only major one. It is a very slow growing, magnificent conifer-this one must have been planted in 1971, being a total of 20 years old (?).

Outside Eliz. Grindley’s are three examples of Cryptomeria Japonica Japanese tree found in temple gardens. These are the best ones we planted (as 5 year olds in 1976), but one of the best examples I know of in all Morayshire is at Drumduan House, by the old water/rock garden in the wood very nice.

St Barbe’s Wood

In the spring of 1976 the Community prepared for a visit by Dr Richard St Barbe Baker, the “Man of the Trees”. In preparation for the visit Fred Barton and I decided that he would make his usual ceremonial planting, but this time at the extreme east end of Pineridge, next to the pine wood. We prepared a containerised Silver Birch, which we had growing on in the greenhouse area, ready to plant. He did this planting, and the tree has grown very well since that time. It prompted Fred Barton to tell me, he thought we should dedicate this area as a small collection of specimen trees, perhaps eventually a woodland, which we would call “St Barbe’s Wood”. I liked this idea and took on the custodianship of the area. In those days we had neither the finance nor the standing stock of trees to pursue our vision, though I always rather closely guarded the idea as I knew it could be a very nice addition to the property, and a fitting memorial to this great man. My own experience with him has been dramatic and meaningful, and perhaps I should share it. (see appendix).

Over the years we planted a few more trees in there, and there were a few (a Sorbus Aria and C tagus) already planted there. Most of the soil in this area is absolutely pure windblown sand, with a layer of couch over the top. It is not the best sol at all in which to establish a specimen stand of trees, and some of the ones we planted died. This included a Walnut and a Quercus Rumr which was also rather small). However we persisted and a few plantings were made, but it was not until the spring of 1984 that I finally established a water pine in the area, so that there could be consistent watering, and therefore some hope of success. In 1982-83 Moray MacKintosh cleared out a lot of the gorse, and of course this will have to be done at regular intervals over the years. It should not be erradicated though, as I feel it is part of the area but should just be kept in check. See appendix for a map of the area. (Gorse trimmings should be burnt straight away after being pruned)

Work to be Done – The high point, between St Barbe’s Wood and the road, behind the garages, is probably the highest point in the whole Foundation, therefore being the most exposed. This is covered with gorse at this time but in the summer of 1984, after the gorse flowers, circles should be cleared out in preparation for planting in the spring of 1985. Looking at a side view of the area, we should look to creating a upwards scaling effect from the bottom of the hill (next to the road) and up to the top, eventually leading to this stand of poplars which are the principal wind break. So we should leave the gorse as nurse, but within the holes plant Sea Buckthorn, broom and small species of pine such as Pinus Mugo. This will create a streamline effect on the wind, so that it will not slam straight into the poplars as they grow above the line of the gorse.

Other specimen planting can be done as Linda Parker sees fit. She is now the custodian of the area.

We have to be very careful of deer damage in this area, as the deer did virtually ruin a Nothofagus We should also note that the Copper Beech was planted in memory of Jeremy Slocombe’s brother (Tich Slocombe, who died in Australia in 1982), and the Eucalyptus Gun was planted in celebration of the birth of Jeremy Slocombe and Dorothy’s daughter, Penelope, in 1983. The original Eucalyptus was too small and died in the severe winter of 1983-84, and a more hardy specimen was planted in the spring of 1984.

In the centre of the wood are three Holm Oaks (Quercus Ilex), the most northerly of which was planted by St Barbe in August, 1981 (see typed transcript of this planting ceremony). The Holm Oak was certainly his favourite tree. The deer began to do severe damage to this tree in the winter of 81-82, and we put a fence around it.

Across from St Barbe’s Wood, on the south side behind Nevena’s caravan, should be planted with shelter trees as well (along the headland of Johnny Bichan’s field.) This would be important shelter for the wood in later days.

Finally, we need to erect a sign saying “St Barbe’s Wood” on a prominent place in the wood. I have always seen a log split down the middle with deeply engraved letters in it.

Pineridge Tree Nursery

The Pineridge Tree Nursery was established in the beginning of 1980, primarily in preparation for the vast amount of shelter belt work needing to occur when we purchased the caravan park, (though the purchase date was unclear and some years off). I made the decision at that time to concentrate principally on fast growing poplars which could be propagated through cuttings, with additional emphasis on varieties of willow when possible. The decision to use poplar was taken for the following reasons:

1. Poplars of different varieties do well on this peninsula, as is evident through those planted at other places in the Findhorn Foundation and those occurring naturally down in Kinloss. Water is essential the first number of years; it is advantageous, though less necessary, subsequently.
2. My hunch at that time was that the balsam varieties would prove impalatable for deer and rabbits, therefore reducing the amount of loss through predation by animals, and eliminating the need for expensive fencing. This has been proven, and alder (incana) is also not a forage tree for deer.
3. The poplars, being fairly fast growing, can also be used for a variety of purposes such as coppicing for fuel wood, possible eventual gasification and so on.
4. The poplars would grow quickly and would provide initial shelter for succeeding plantings of more mixed varieties of shelter and ornamental trees.

There are obviously some drawbacks to any planting scheme and those I foresaw were:

1. The need to get a number of clone varieties in order to assure some type of genetic diversity within the plantings.
2. The appearance needed to be more than just that of a monotypic planting.
3. Poplars, being fast growing, are not extremely durable wood and might be prone to cracking in high winds. The need for coppicing would be complimentary in this case or, at least, topping.

I have specialized over the last four years in the balsam poplar originally grown in the central gardens in front of Constance’s bungalow (of unknown clone number), Populas Robusta, and Lombardy Poplar. Maximum example of growth on these trees can be seen behind my bungalow. The poplars there were inserted in 1977 and have shown maximum growth through ample watering and access to raw garbage dug in beneath my lawn. The tallest of the balsam poplars is approximately 32 feet high in 1984.

Planting Experience

Planting experience – having used these cuttings in various situations throughout the caravan park and Pineridge over the last five years it is apparent that they need to be two years old before being planted out (unless constant water is available) and having been moved once in the nursery. Therefore they will have a good rootball, and will have been cut down twice, once in the nursery and once when planting out. If they are planted out where there is adequate water and with a decent rootball (not bare rooted) then more can be left on the top when planting out, but some pruning is absolutely advisable in all cases. If properly planted, ie. with water retentive material at the bottom of the hole, with compost and well mulched with wood chips on top and watered at the bottom of the hole, additional surface watering may only be necessary a very minimum amount of times if the season is very dry, if at all. If not watered underneath when planted, they will have much less chance of survival, being trees that generally need a bit more water especially in their first few years.

In 1983 I planted five different clone varieties, all numbered hybrids, obtained from the Frysville Hybrid Poplar Nursery in Pennsylvania, USA. First year observation showed that three of the clones are marginally faster than the clones we are already using from our own stock (esp. 510)

Nursery Technique

The prepared cutting (8-10 inches long) would be inserted in slit trenches filled with gravel or sand or perlite, from mid-March to 1 May. Every two years the nursery needs applications of manure. The nursery must not be allowed to dry out and I would recommend overnight watering twice a week during the spring dry season. Very rapid growth will occur under these conditions and by late June or early July a leader selected and the other shoots rubbed off.

In early July an application of blood and bonemeal should be applied and a foliar feed of liquid seaweed. The row should be kept as free of weeds as possible. I found all this was possible if a small group of four people worked one day every 2 to 3 weeks.

I did not accomplish enough propagation of the indigenous poplar, Populas Alba, which grows as a native on this peninsula. Its appearance is much prettier than that of hybrid poplars, and its growth somewhat less rapid. I also did not propagate enough willows, though Salix Britzensis and the Salix variety called ‘Super Willow’ by the Doubleday Association, are growing in the nursery at this time. The principal plantings of the poplars occurring in 1983 across from the family centre along Bichan’s field, and in 1984 as a shelter belt on the sough side of St Barbe’s Wood and the south side of the central Pineridge garden. These were mixed with of other species such as birch, alder, wych elm etc. A major planting in 1984 was at the south end of the Caravan Park.

The Pineridge poplar nursery is capable of producing up to 1500 poplars a year, and obviously at a time prior to 1990 the need for the amount of this species will be no longer felt. To that end, there is experimental grafting section in the nursery, with three different root stocks of apple tree there as a small beginning to a grafting programme.

The physical construction of the nursery was largely done by Gordon Cutler and myself, and the black windbreak material has taken quite a beating in the gales of early 1984. Therefore we have planted a windbreak of Lombardy poplar inside the fence completely surrounding the nursery, to hopefully takeover and supercede the use of the net by 1987. I believe this nursery should be used exclusively for the use that has been outlined here, until at least 1987, when I anticipate the great need for shelter planting will begin to wane, but when a large programme of amenity planting will commence.

This is chapter is published as a separate post please click here to read it.

Notes complied with Jonathan Caddy, May 1984

A great deal of planting on the west and south ends of the caravan park was done in March, 1984, focalized by Jonathan Caddy. A partial grant from the Countryside Commission assisted on this project. Approximately 1,000 trees of mixed species were planted in a community work project, during Spring Festival (see file, Caravan Park Planting). Further work needed is as follows:

• Attention must be paid to deep watering, especially during planting but during periods of drought as well.
• The newly planted trees must be inspected fairly often, and in the winter of 84-5 have lower branches taken off and tree guards adjusted (minimum amount of foliage is much better, to lessen impact of drought !)

Entrance to caravan park (this refers to the old entrance, alongside Muriel’s bungalow) – on each side of the entrance a Thuja Plicata (Western Red Cedar) will be planted, well back from the road. On the north side there is an established stand of Birch trees, but a group of Birches will be added to the south side, as well as a Maple with good Autumn red tints, to compliment the gold of the Birch (on both sides of the entrance).

Driveway to caravan park – between the entrance and the shop there is an existing line of unpruned Birch trees. These need trunking to a single stem and removing branches to about 6 feet. The aim is to plant an avenue consisting of groups of White Beam (Sorbus Aria), Rowan and Flowering Cherry. For now the planting distances should be established, and in the winter of 84-85 some of the Birch trees taken out and the new trees planted in. This will leave several of the Birch to continue to give a nice visual effect and create shelter for the new trees, but they will be removed in the coming years, creating the new avenue.

Continuing shelter belt – March 1985 will see a continuation of the shelter belt from the bottom end of the caravan park along the east side all the way up to the first 90 degree turn. This will be on the west side of the drainage ditch, with consideration given to existing pipelines. Either two or three rows in width, this will consist of at least 50-75% hybrid Poplar, and the rest mixed deciduous trees. It will be nice to add Larch here as well, but very few evergreens, just one occasionally for effect. The remainder of the belt around the caravan park needs to be planned and executed in March, 1986, following the procedure which has been established.

Amenity planting – the need of the caravan park for more trees is painfully obvious, and a great deal of energy could be consumed in the landscaping and provision of trees and shrubs in this area. A deal of caution has to be exercised in order to ensure that overall planning is taken into effect, i.e., the future placement of houses, service buildings and so on. At this time we need to be principally concerned with the shelter and occasional amenity of the park, hoping that by 1986 plans will be more clear for more large scale amenity planning from 1987 onwards.

Eventual thinning – the shelter belt is obviously a multi-purpose planting, with amenity value in its own right. Now, one must become familiar with what is there, and over the years observe what will want to stay on as feature trees. These can be labelled, or in some way indicated, and encouraged. Over the first several years, say up to 1990, thinning can be by transplanting, but after that it will eventually be by felling. This type of after-care is very important, for it is these observations which not only give us information but also establish the clear communication and mutual commitment with the trees.

Overall

Silva (1729, Stobart and Son, facsimile edition 1979) John Evelyn

Introductory

The International Book of Trees (1973, Bonanza) Johnson & Mitchell

The International Book of  the Forest (1981) Beazly Mitchell

General Practice

Collins Guide to Tree Planting & Cultivation  (1977, Collins) H.L. Edlin

Forest Farming (1978, Rodale Press) Douglas & Holt

Trees for the Yard, Orchard and Woodlot(1976, Rodale Press) Roger Yepsen

Tree Nurseries (1979, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) K. Liebscher

Technical

Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs (1982, Forestry Commission Bulletin [HMSO] No. 59) Gordon & Rowe

Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States (1974, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Handbook no. 450)

Tree Maintenance (1978, Oxford University Press) P.P. Pirone

Field Guides

A Field Guide to Trees of Britain and Northern Europe (1979, Collins) Alan Mitchell

Trees of North America (1968, Golden Press)

Good Reading

My Life, My Trees (1979, Findhorn Press) Richard St. Barbe Baker

Splitting Firewood (1981, By Hand Foot) David Tresemer

At the time of writing (1983), these were available in the Garden School Library at Cullerne, as part of the section called the Findhorn Forest Library. Please add to this with other books informative, enjoyable and useful about trees.

This is just a brief selection of books that I personally recommend, but there are many more available in the Cullerne library and in the Phoenix Bookshop.

One has to end things somewhere, in order for new things to begin. In drawing my thoughts, observations and feelings to a close I look back over what I’ve written and have a few general comments to make.

I have stressed a lot of practical information, and have given less of my feelings about the ‘sacred’ nature of trees. I’m sure this is because of my own commitment to grounding the tree programme and getting it producing. I have a concern that the practical experience and information gets transferred as much as possible, and that the Tree Programme will continue to yield ever increasing physical results in the propagation, planting and aftercare of trees in this area. It is easy (and important and valuable) to talk about trees, and discuss their importance. However, it is a different matter, and certainly of prime importance, to translate this affection and enthusiasm into actual, prolonged commitment to the repopulation of the earth’s trees.

What is generally called the ‘sacred’ aspect of trees is a matter of personal experience. There are books which talk about the esoteric qualities of this or that tree, and one can certainly gain experience by reading. However, it is the direct inner experience, with a particular tree or overlighting energy of the species, that truly gives the insight depth and illumination. My own experience shows that sacred and practical sides are enhanced if worked together, a good example being one of the main reasons for the Tree Programme; as follows:

When the community began burning a lot of wood in 1979-80, Tom Buhler and I cut quite a bit of this wood. The first year my experience was increasingly powerful, when for a number of weeks we kept thinning out birch and other trees from a coniferous plantation. The act of cutting down so many trees demanded of me a prolonged attention. Working a chainsaw for 8 or 10 hours continuously also created a unique situation, one which would not necessarily lead to increased sensitivity. However, over a 6 month period, I experienced a series of personal breakthroughs in understanding the sacred nature of trees, which gave a depth and breadth to the affection for trees I have had all my life. For me, and I am sure many others, there is a strongly focused source of inner teaching and guidance connected with the overall presence of trees on this earth, one which is readily available and of real substance in our daily lives, if we are but to recognise it, call on it and work with it.

So, through realising we were felling so many trees, with the complementary experience of the inner power and direction of these beings, I attempted to formalise a project in which we were also growing, planting and caring for trees. Immediately on starting the programme, it was apparent that a great deal of energy and resources would be made available if we were but to commit ourselves. This has been the case, with the necessary finance and people appearing at the right time to carry things forward.

We are fortunate to live in Morayshire, the most forested county in Great Britain. We are also fortunate to be in this country, which is really (despite its low overall forest cover) the tree capital of the world. It has the most diverse, widest ranging collection of specimen trees in parks, gardens and private estates of any country in the world.

It has been a special blessing for me to have experienced all this, one for which I will be always very grateful.