From seed to sapling in Swaledale
March 7, 2025
In December 2024, we celebrated the planting of the first trees grown from seed as part of our Seed to Sapling project. The two hazel saplings originated from seeds collected at Ivelet Wood, near Muker in Swaledale, where hazel trees have grown since the end of the Ice Age.
The community growing scheme in Swaledale – a collaboration between YDMT, Sustainable Swaledale and the Reeth Community Orchard Group – held a special celebration to mark the planting in the beautiful Community Orchard Garden of Hudson House, in Reeth. The Garden had already celebrated the 20th anniversary of its official opening in April, and the two new trees were a fitting way to conclude its year of celebrations.
Representatives from Sustainable Swaledale, Reeth Community Orchard Group and YDMT
Working together with communities across the Dales
Swaledale’s tree growing scheme was one of the first to get underway as part of our Seed to Sapling project, which is now in its third year. Working with communities across the Dales, four such schemes are now in operation, growing native saplings from local provenance seed, ensuring the right trees are available to plant in the Dales in future. In November YDMT received funding of £25,000 for the Seed to Sapling project from Beyondly’s Fund for Change. Alongside your generous donations this funding will help to support more communities involved in developing local provenance tree nurseries.
Planting the trees were Eileen Martin, a key volunteer of the Orchard Group who was involved in the restoration of the Orchard Garden, and Rob McDonald of Sustainable Swaledale.
Rob said: ‘’The Gardening Group, Sustainable Swaledale and YDMT recognise the vital role of nature in our past, present and future for our health and well-being. I would like to thank YDMT for its continuing support and the Gardening Group for collaborating with us and hosting the tree planting event.’’
Chris Browne, Chair, Reeth Community Orchard Group said: ‘’The planting of the first hazel saplings in Swaledale, was made possible by the commitment and practical efforts of our Sustainable Swaledale friends and the support of YDMT. We value and appreciate these partnerships, and our areas of mutual interest will only benefit and strengthen our relationships.’’
Hazel was the dominant tree across Swaledale for thousands of years, and before the introduction of oil and plastic, was a key part of the local economy and culture, and it’s likely that hazel trees will have contributed to the very soil in which the new saplings were planted.
Helping to tackle climate change and nature loss
Through our Seed to Sapling project, we’re working with communities across the Yorkshire Dales, to help ensure the right trees are available to plant in the Dales by creating community tree growing schemes where native saplings will be grown from local provenance seed. The scheme provides the tools, skills and materials needed for communities to set up and sustain their own tree nurseries, helping to develop a landscape richer in trees, woods and hedgerows.
