February 2025 Woodslee Arboretum

The Friends working with Ste The Ranger are creating an arboretum in the area where Woodslee house once stood, together with an area of Brotherton Park.

There is a saying “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now” We are very fortunate that we are planting some trees now, some were planted about 20 years ago and an number planted almost 200 years ago. We are placing simple labels in front of some of the trees. Later we hope to produce a downloadable guide.

There is already a guide to other trees in Dibbinsdale but this is now a bit out of date.https://www.dibbinsdale.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Tree-Trail.pdf

February 2025 Tree Nursery

Wirral Tree Wardens working with The Friends of Dibbinsdale have established a tree nursery in a part of the walled garden. We have collected seeds from Dibbinsdale and also Arrowe Park and are in the process of stratifying them over winter and we will grow them on. This process will provide trees genetically suited to local conditions. It also reduces the possibility of importing pests and disease from outside the area.

In the mean time we are looking after “tree whips” ready for planting out in the next month or so. These are young bare root stock and are sensitive to their roots drying out, so they are healed in until needed.

January 2025 Wassail

Wassailing is a way of awaking and blessing the fruit trees of an orchard, in the hope of a good harvest. This year the celebrations were lead by Charlie from Wirral Councils Tree Team. We were joined by Bexi who played and sang for us.