Waiting five years beat planting on the exposed slope

Gareth L. · Mid Wales · 40 acres of upland rough grazing

The problem

We planted 600 whips on a windy west slope. Roughly 70% died in year two despite guards.

What we tried

Stopped planting. Fenced the slope from sheep, left the rest alone and let seed come in from the old wooded gill. Spot-planted only where nothing appeared after four years.

Timeline

Visible scrub by year three, thicket in patches by year six.

Cost and effort

£2,100 fencing. Nothing else.

Verdict

Would recommend

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