...Integrating the own-rootstock
coppiced orchard concept.
"The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings."
- Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution
coppiced orchard concept.
"The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings."
- Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution
Project synopsis
Margam Park Castle where my office was once based
Margam Park is a local authority owned house, gardens and parkland of historical interest that is famous for it`s mixed herd of fallow, red and Chinese Pere David`s deer or Milu. Another feature of Margam Park is the Orangery which was built between 1787 and 1793 to house a large collection of orange, lemon and citrous trees. It is now used for functions, conferences and wedding receptions. It is listed Grade I as one of the finest classical buildings in Wales.
I am fortunate to have my work office based at the castle, and to be able to take advantage of the door-step facility of the surrounding parkland at which to engage the people that I work with.
The castle is set amidst 1000 acres of parkland, much of which is rolling hills and upland meadow. There is a considerable amount of the invasive and resilient Turkish plant Rhododendron ponticum long established at a significant proportion of the park. The rhododendron stands are mature and extensive, and although they produce an attractive display of colour on the hillsides when flowering, very little else grows where it has become firmly established and the soil has become impoverished and acidic.
Not long ago, a new manager, Mike Wynne came to the Park. Mike is from a farming background, and has already made positive changes at the park. Biodiversity has been taken into consideration, and funding has been secured to embark on an eradication programme of the extensive Rhododendron stands at the Park.
A section of hillside recently cleared of Rhododendron.
The work has already begun, and the contractors are doing a thorough job of removing the rhododendron to date. The image to the left shows a hillside recently clear felled of rhododendron.
It is here that I am attempting to put in place some soil-building forest gardening.
Goals articulation
My life long passion has been the wonder of wildlife, eco-systems and the diversity of species. The ideal of working with nature rather than declaring war with it was what first drew my attention to permaculture. For as long as I can remember I have enthused about and actively been involved with habitat manipulation/re-creation projects that increase biodiversity levels.
Earth care
The possibility of being able to integrate my life long objective of raising biodiversity levels with that of producing an abundance of food is very energising, as is the prospect of engaging people in the healing process of growing their own food, nurturing a developing eco-system and evolving new skills.
People care
Cultivating an interest in growing food, eating more healthily and getting an increased dose of the fresh air and healthy stimulating physical exercise that is available potentially has significant healing potential for the people that could become involved with the project. Working alongside nature and of course being able to experience the increasing levels of animal and plant life developing around them can have positive life changing effects for people.
Fair share
All involved will potentially be able to take a share of the food and materials produced whilst all the while experiencing first hand how other life forms also benefit from the developing habitat and how that once a balance is achieved through establishing plant guilds and increased biodiversity levels, nature will work for people.
Survey
The site is steep in places, and the soil is considerably impoverished and obviously very acidic.
I contacted the ecology department of Swansea University, who have previously been involved with other pond and wildlife habitat creation that I instigated and jointly delivered with multiple participants at the Park. Initial findings reveal that in certain areas of the Park where the rhododendron is long established, analysis of soil samples taken from the area indicate that only 4 species of soil organism are present, as opposed to the rich diversity that should be present in healthy soil. Those that are present are particularly "hardcore" such as spring-tails.
This news is particularly shocking. A carpet sample from the average household is likely to support a greater diversity of life!
There is also already noticeable regeneration from the stumps that will need addressing.
The contractors that are undertaking the clearance of the Rhododendron are also scheduled to be spraying the stumps with glyphosate. I will do my best either to persuade the use of alternative natural methodology or to reach a compromise. I am also prepared to accept the fact that I may not be able to alter the course of the scheduled treatment. If such is the case, the planting schedule will be delayed considerably.
Assess
Healthy soil clearly needs to be rebuilt to prevent soil and water run off from the gradient and further impoverishing of the area.
The absence of a diversity of tree and plant species with varying root depths is noticeable. The clear felled rhododendron is already showing impressive signs of regenerative growth.
The current high stocking density of deer at the Park means that tree and plant protection will have to be considered.
There may be a need to accommodate a bicycle training course within the site. This has not been decided upon yet by the relevant authority. Either way, the site can be developed. I should receive clarification of whether I will need to include the cycle track in the design in due course.
Further Assessment Update
There have been several variables influencing the start time for this project...Firstly, time has been spent by the site owner (local authority) deciding whether or not a bicycle training track will be included as part of the site. As the area is intended to be enclosed by deer fencing, it is necessary to plan where entrances and exits will be situated for the cyclists.
Advantages and disadvantages considered;
Disadvantages of including a bicycle track in the design -
Advantages of including a bicycle track in the design -
Secondly, the firm that have been contracted to clear the Rhododendron ponticum from the site (the first phase of which has been completed at the site) have also been contracted to spray the regenerating stumps with Glyphosates. This work has not yet been completed. It is due to be completed by April 2012. Personally, I would have preferred to have approached the task of eradicating the regeneration by utilising less soil polluting methodology such as stump injection. However, the site owners wish to honour their prearranged agreement with the contractors.
My life long passion has been the wonder of wildlife, eco-systems and the diversity of species. The ideal of working with nature rather than declaring war with it was what first drew my attention to permaculture. For as long as I can remember I have enthused about and actively been involved with habitat manipulation/re-creation projects that increase biodiversity levels.
Earth care
The possibility of being able to integrate my life long objective of raising biodiversity levels with that of producing an abundance of food is very energising, as is the prospect of engaging people in the healing process of growing their own food, nurturing a developing eco-system and evolving new skills.
People care
Cultivating an interest in growing food, eating more healthily and getting an increased dose of the fresh air and healthy stimulating physical exercise that is available potentially has significant healing potential for the people that could become involved with the project. Working alongside nature and of course being able to experience the increasing levels of animal and plant life developing around them can have positive life changing effects for people.
Fair share
All involved will potentially be able to take a share of the food and materials produced whilst all the while experiencing first hand how other life forms also benefit from the developing habitat and how that once a balance is achieved through establishing plant guilds and increased biodiversity levels, nature will work for people.
Survey
The site is steep in places, and the soil is considerably impoverished and obviously very acidic.
I contacted the ecology department of Swansea University, who have previously been involved with other pond and wildlife habitat creation that I instigated and jointly delivered with multiple participants at the Park. Initial findings reveal that in certain areas of the Park where the rhododendron is long established, analysis of soil samples taken from the area indicate that only 4 species of soil organism are present, as opposed to the rich diversity that should be present in healthy soil. Those that are present are particularly "hardcore" such as spring-tails.
This news is particularly shocking. A carpet sample from the average household is likely to support a greater diversity of life!
There is also already noticeable regeneration from the stumps that will need addressing.
The contractors that are undertaking the clearance of the Rhododendron are also scheduled to be spraying the stumps with glyphosate. I will do my best either to persuade the use of alternative natural methodology or to reach a compromise. I am also prepared to accept the fact that I may not be able to alter the course of the scheduled treatment. If such is the case, the planting schedule will be delayed considerably.
Assess
Healthy soil clearly needs to be rebuilt to prevent soil and water run off from the gradient and further impoverishing of the area.
The absence of a diversity of tree and plant species with varying root depths is noticeable. The clear felled rhododendron is already showing impressive signs of regenerative growth.
The current high stocking density of deer at the Park means that tree and plant protection will have to be considered.
There may be a need to accommodate a bicycle training course within the site. This has not been decided upon yet by the relevant authority. Either way, the site can be developed. I should receive clarification of whether I will need to include the cycle track in the design in due course.
Further Assessment Update
There have been several variables influencing the start time for this project...Firstly, time has been spent by the site owner (local authority) deciding whether or not a bicycle training track will be included as part of the site. As the area is intended to be enclosed by deer fencing, it is necessary to plan where entrances and exits will be situated for the cyclists.
Advantages and disadvantages considered;
Disadvantages of including a bicycle track in the design -
- Less room for growing
- Flat area taken up almost entirely by bicycle track leaving only gradient area for growing on
- Delay in starting project
Advantages of including a bicycle track in the design -
- The project will benefit from greater exposure to visitors
- People engaging with the project could potentially stack functions - be encouraged to learn to use a bicycle in a safe environment and learn about growing food, healthy eating and working with nature
- A smaller growing area will be simpler and more realistic to manage
- An opportunity to showcase how planting a gradient with a blend of fruit trees and nitrogen fixing trees stabilises the ground, halting erosion, whilst constantly building and improving soil quality and producing food and materials
- More time is available for good design
Secondly, the firm that have been contracted to clear the Rhododendron ponticum from the site (the first phase of which has been completed at the site) have also been contracted to spray the regenerating stumps with Glyphosates. This work has not yet been completed. It is due to be completed by April 2012. Personally, I would have preferred to have approached the task of eradicating the regeneration by utilising less soil polluting methodology such as stump injection. However, the site owners wish to honour their prearranged agreement with the contractors.
Design
I would like to integrate the concept of own root stock fruit trees and coppiced orchards with the forest gardening ethos.
The idea of own rootstock fruit trees was first experimented with by the late Hugh Ermen, an accomplished propagator of fruit trees.
Phil Corbett is now attempting to take the concept further with the development of coppiced orchards;
"Coppice-ability is also the basis of our "Coppice Orchard". This consists of OR* trees planted in rows running north-south. When the canopy of the orchard closes, a north - south row will be coppiced and the land in the row used for light demanding crops, e.g. vegetables on a no-dig system, while the trees regrow. The trees either side of the glade will have higher light levels on their sides and produce more fruit buds. The next year another north - south row is cut but not the immediate neighbours as these will have the extra buds, so the next row for coppicing will be next-door-but-one. In other words this will be Alternate Row Coppicing. This process is repeated every year, creating a series of parallel , sheltered glades. Eventually the rows of trees forming the avenues between the glades will also be coppiced in turn, but by then the ‘glade’ trees will have regrown to form the avenues. As the trees regrow there will be glades at all stages of regrowth until the cycle repeats itself, and niches for plants suited to full light, semi-shade or heavy shade, creating opportunities for different types of land use. The number of years before re-coppicing [and so the length of the coppicing cycle] is one of the many aspects of the project that we will only learn by doing it. The exact timing of coppicing can be adjusted to suit the type of produce that is wanted most.
Apart from apples, the main planting sites of the orchard also have OR pears and plums, hazelnuts, and nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs.
Instead of just producing fruit the coppice orchard can produce a wide range of crops – small wood, fruit, soft fruit, vegetables, possibly cereals, fungi and the more traditional bees and poultry.
Another possible yield might be heat from Jean Pain type heat - heaps using woodchips and other shredded orchard wastes. These heaps slowly compost and can yield heat over 15 months, so that a heap the size of a garage can give enough heat to provide hot water and heating for a small house over two winters. And when the heat stops you are left with a large pile of compost!
There is an old Chinese proverb that says ‘fertility follows in the footsteps of the farmer’ which is reworked as the permaculture principle ‘Fertility Follows Attention’. In the coppice orchard there is the potential for producing a great range of our needs in a single system, and productivity should benefit from our attention not being divided between vegetable plot, orchard, woodland, etc. The rotation of crops avoids disease build-ups, and if all residues are returned to the site there should be a build up of fertility. The plan is to include nitrogen fixing and soil conditioning plants, insectary plants to support useful insects, bird and bumble bee nest boxes, small ponds for amphibians and hedgehogs and generally to maximize the natural diversity, and yields, of the site." - Phil Corbett
* OR = Own rootstock
Below is a basic first draft of a design for the Margam site.
The idea of own rootstock fruit trees was first experimented with by the late Hugh Ermen, an accomplished propagator of fruit trees.
Phil Corbett is now attempting to take the concept further with the development of coppiced orchards;
"Coppice-ability is also the basis of our "Coppice Orchard". This consists of OR* trees planted in rows running north-south. When the canopy of the orchard closes, a north - south row will be coppiced and the land in the row used for light demanding crops, e.g. vegetables on a no-dig system, while the trees regrow. The trees either side of the glade will have higher light levels on their sides and produce more fruit buds. The next year another north - south row is cut but not the immediate neighbours as these will have the extra buds, so the next row for coppicing will be next-door-but-one. In other words this will be Alternate Row Coppicing. This process is repeated every year, creating a series of parallel , sheltered glades. Eventually the rows of trees forming the avenues between the glades will also be coppiced in turn, but by then the ‘glade’ trees will have regrown to form the avenues. As the trees regrow there will be glades at all stages of regrowth until the cycle repeats itself, and niches for plants suited to full light, semi-shade or heavy shade, creating opportunities for different types of land use. The number of years before re-coppicing [and so the length of the coppicing cycle] is one of the many aspects of the project that we will only learn by doing it. The exact timing of coppicing can be adjusted to suit the type of produce that is wanted most.
Apart from apples, the main planting sites of the orchard also have OR pears and plums, hazelnuts, and nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs.
Instead of just producing fruit the coppice orchard can produce a wide range of crops – small wood, fruit, soft fruit, vegetables, possibly cereals, fungi and the more traditional bees and poultry.
Another possible yield might be heat from Jean Pain type heat - heaps using woodchips and other shredded orchard wastes. These heaps slowly compost and can yield heat over 15 months, so that a heap the size of a garage can give enough heat to provide hot water and heating for a small house over two winters. And when the heat stops you are left with a large pile of compost!
There is an old Chinese proverb that says ‘fertility follows in the footsteps of the farmer’ which is reworked as the permaculture principle ‘Fertility Follows Attention’. In the coppice orchard there is the potential for producing a great range of our needs in a single system, and productivity should benefit from our attention not being divided between vegetable plot, orchard, woodland, etc. The rotation of crops avoids disease build-ups, and if all residues are returned to the site there should be a build up of fertility. The plan is to include nitrogen fixing and soil conditioning plants, insectary plants to support useful insects, bird and bumble bee nest boxes, small ponds for amphibians and hedgehogs and generally to maximize the natural diversity, and yields, of the site." - Phil Corbett
* OR = Own rootstock
Below is a basic first draft of a design for the Margam site.
- The canopy layer consists of fruit trees; apple, pear, cherry and plum varieties, and all own rootstock, as well as hazel. Alternate row coppicing would be put into operation.
- Light demanding edible crops could be grown in the tree rows that have been most recently coppiced. A chicken tractor designed to fit the spacing between rows will prepare the beds removing the need for human labour and producing a welcome by product, eggs.
- The humid micro climate beside the ponds present an ideal opportunity for edible mushroom cultivation on a significant scale. Multiple cross stacked logs inoculated with edible mushroom spores could be positioned all around ponds.
- Below the second and lowest swale, raised beds are utilised between the fruit trees, presenting an ideal opportunity to grow root crops for human consumption or for deer fodder.
The site is on a slope which is immediately below a bridleway. Water run off from the bridleway can be considerable during and following rainfall and is of course a valuable resource not to be wasted. By including swales and ponds in the initial design process which will passify the flow of water, the entire site can be watered with little or no labour involved other than the initial excavation.
A swale is basically a ditch on contour that captures rain fall run off. The water then seeps slowly through the swale mound (situated immediately to the fore of the swale ditch itself) and also seeps through the base of the swale itself. The swale mound is made from the soil excavated from the swale ditch during it`s creation, and runs the entire length of the swale.
A swale is basically a ditch on contour that captures rain fall run off. The water then seeps slowly through the swale mound (situated immediately to the fore of the swale ditch itself) and also seeps through the base of the swale itself. The swale mound is made from the soil excavated from the swale ditch during it`s creation, and runs the entire length of the swale.
Progress at the site is currently, on appearance, slow.
This is partly due to consideration being given to the inclusion of a bicycle training track at the site. This could potentially be a fantastic integration of the promotion of fun, physical exercise and raising awareness with regard to the bicycle as transport along with the concept of growing food and simultaneously increasing biodiversity levels all at one site.
It is expected that work will begin in earnest once the contractors are scheduled to have completed the Rhododendron ponticum regeneration eradication in the month of April which also happens to be when the next funding pot is accessible.
To help gain a better perspective of the site, here are a few short videos taken a month ago...
This is partly due to consideration being given to the inclusion of a bicycle training track at the site. This could potentially be a fantastic integration of the promotion of fun, physical exercise and raising awareness with regard to the bicycle as transport along with the concept of growing food and simultaneously increasing biodiversity levels all at one site.
It is expected that work will begin in earnest once the contractors are scheduled to have completed the Rhododendron ponticum regeneration eradication in the month of April which also happens to be when the next funding pot is accessible.
To help gain a better perspective of the site, here are a few short videos taken a month ago...
Various barriers to progression present themselves which I have looked at in the mind map below. Click on the image to enlarge it.
Deer fencing
Due to the high density of deer present at the site, deer fencing is necessary. Although funding has already been secured once, due to the time delay whilst decisions were being made regarding the bicycle training track, funding will have to be reapplied for in April.
Rhododendron Clearance
The first phase of rhododendron clearance at the site has been completed by the contractors. The second phase, treatment of stump regeneration, is due to be implemented before April. Unfortunately, the methodology previously agreed by the site owner and the contractors, spraying with glyphosates, is also likely to delay the project further.
Impoverished soil
Well over one hundred years of constant Rhododendron growth has resulted in severely impoverished, acidic soil. It is intended to embark on an Intensive Re-Building of Soil (IRBS) programme utilising multiple 18 day compost piles, indigenous deciduous leaf litter collected from around elsewhere in the surrounding park land as well as the possibility of the addition of Dolomite limestone. I intend to involve volunteers and the people that I work alongside with this soil nourishing activity.
The Ecology department of Swansea University will be involved in monitoring and studying the soil condition during the development of the project, and will feed back to me.
Pond creation
A series on small ponds should ideally be designed before April. A contractor has been sourced to undertake the excavation that is sympathetic to the needs of wildlife and also has experience of growing organically. Funding is available in April to cover the cost of the excavation. Ideally, pond creation would take place at a less sensitive time of year than April, the height of springtime. However, in this instance there is no developing biodiversity to disturb as the site is currently an acidic desert!
Planting considerations
There are several funding sources available with which to purchase a number of fruit trees and nitrogen fixing indigenous trees. Having identified possible sources and made them aware of the project, I will can now only wait until I have a clearer idea of when planting can commence.
Considering the likelihood of further pollution to the soil due to glyphostae residue, I predict that planting will not begin until the autumn at the very earliest.
For the time being, I will focus my energy on other projects that are currently more active and developing more positively than this project.
Due to the high density of deer present at the site, deer fencing is necessary. Although funding has already been secured once, due to the time delay whilst decisions were being made regarding the bicycle training track, funding will have to be reapplied for in April.
Rhododendron Clearance
The first phase of rhododendron clearance at the site has been completed by the contractors. The second phase, treatment of stump regeneration, is due to be implemented before April. Unfortunately, the methodology previously agreed by the site owner and the contractors, spraying with glyphosates, is also likely to delay the project further.
Impoverished soil
Well over one hundred years of constant Rhododendron growth has resulted in severely impoverished, acidic soil. It is intended to embark on an Intensive Re-Building of Soil (IRBS) programme utilising multiple 18 day compost piles, indigenous deciduous leaf litter collected from around elsewhere in the surrounding park land as well as the possibility of the addition of Dolomite limestone. I intend to involve volunteers and the people that I work alongside with this soil nourishing activity.
The Ecology department of Swansea University will be involved in monitoring and studying the soil condition during the development of the project, and will feed back to me.
Pond creation
A series on small ponds should ideally be designed before April. A contractor has been sourced to undertake the excavation that is sympathetic to the needs of wildlife and also has experience of growing organically. Funding is available in April to cover the cost of the excavation. Ideally, pond creation would take place at a less sensitive time of year than April, the height of springtime. However, in this instance there is no developing biodiversity to disturb as the site is currently an acidic desert!
Planting considerations
There are several funding sources available with which to purchase a number of fruit trees and nitrogen fixing indigenous trees. Having identified possible sources and made them aware of the project, I will can now only wait until I have a clearer idea of when planting can commence.
Considering the likelihood of further pollution to the soil due to glyphostae residue, I predict that planting will not begin until the autumn at the very earliest.
For the time being, I will focus my energy on other projects that are currently more active and developing more positively than this project.
I have sourced funding from the Countryside Council of Wales (CCW) through the biodiversity unit of the local authority to cover the cost of materials required to surround the area with deer fencing.
I have contacted and spoken with Phil Corbett of Cool temperate nursery.
Phil is doing pioneering work in relation to the common sense concept of own rootstock fruit tree growing, aiming toward the goal of coppiced orchards. He was very welcoming and helpful on the telephone, spoke a whole lot of common sense and gave me a few pointers regarding own root stock fruit trees and he may be able to supply me with trees for the Margam forest garden. I plan to visit Phil in the near future and draw further from his experience and experimental work. In particular, Phil offered advice regarding tackling the acidic soil conditions created by Rhododendron domination at the site for the past 150 years. Dolomite limestone would appear to be of benefit and helps with bringing PH levels back as well as also bringing with it essential stabilising minerals such as magnesium.
Treating the regeneration of the rhododendron by spraying with glyphosate is the reccomendation of the contractors that have so far undergone the clearance work. I would like to avoid this happening if possible, at least at the site in question. Ammonium sulphamate is a far less indiscriminate alternative that can be injected into the stump, and only requires a very small measure to cause the stump to break down and does not have the residual impact that glyphosates have. It may be a compromise/alternative that I can highlight to the management of the Park. The entirely organic methodology of heavy mulching and establishing a diversity of soil building plant guilds would be my favourite choice, but a compromise is more likely to be the case with the management of the Park. Ammonium sulphamate may be just that.
Update
It is now clear that this project will not be implemented this year. There are several variables that have contributed toward this project`s failure to "get off the ground", the two prominent barriers to progress being:
Considerations
I have had to make the decision to focus my time toward other projects that are developing more positively rather than devote further time and energy toward one which at this point in time, has too many "spanners in the works" to efficiently and effectively implement the design process. However, I will briefly describe how I would have gone about tackling the chief problems presented here.
Implement
Glyphosates have been available World wide as the Monsanto Product "Round up", the most regularly used herbicide for the past 30 years.
Round up can attribute it`s success as a herbicide partly to Monsanto`s widely advertised but grossly inaccurate claim that it is -
"Biodegradable and good for the environment"
Monsanto have since been successfully prosecuted for false advertising, once in 1996 in New York and again in France more recently in 2007. The fines involved with such prosecutions are a fraction of the profits made by organisations as large as Monanto. The wording of the advertising is restructured, few people are any the wiser, and the product continues to be sold worldwide.
Biodegradable and good for the environment - According to tests by Monsanto itself; Only 2% of the product breaks down after 28 days.
Many scientific studies have also shown that round up is highly toxic.
For example; it promotes cell division disfunction as demonstrated in a study by Professor Robert Belle. Professor Belle works for the French National centre for Scientific Research as well as the Pierre and Marie curie institute in France. Quoting him; "Round up provokes the first stages that lead to cancer"
Ken Cook, President of the Environmental working group "We would never trust a company like Monsanto to tell the truth about a pollution problem or a product."
The dangers associated with Round up are explained fully here
So is there an alternative to herbicide use in relation to Rhododendron stump treatment? Possibly...
It is now clear that this project will not be implemented this year. There are several variables that have contributed toward this project`s failure to "get off the ground", the two prominent barriers to progress being:
- Time - Or more accurately lack of time. A considerable amount of time has now elapsed whilst decisions were made by the Local Authority regarding the Margam Park Forest garden project. Although funding had been successfully sourced to cover the cost of deer fencing (the greatest initial expanse) pond excavation and fruit trees, part of the conditions attached to the funding included a time limit by which the money could be spent. The extremely slow decision making process on this occasion meant that the time period to take advantage of the funding on offer had elapsed by the time the decisions had finally been made.
- Glyphosates - The contractors employed by the Local Authority to undertake the clearance work intend to utilise glyphosates to treat the regenerative stump growth. As previously explained, research clearly indicates that glyphosates leave a long lasting and harmful residue in the soil that is totally indiscriminate - hardly conducive with establishing a forest garden. Despite efforts to persuade otherwise, there was no compromise to be reached and the local Authority would not budge from their agreement with the contractors to undertake a programme of spraying with glyphosates.
Considerations
I have had to make the decision to focus my time toward other projects that are developing more positively rather than devote further time and energy toward one which at this point in time, has too many "spanners in the works" to efficiently and effectively implement the design process. However, I will briefly describe how I would have gone about tackling the chief problems presented here.
Implement
Glyphosates have been available World wide as the Monsanto Product "Round up", the most regularly used herbicide for the past 30 years.
Round up can attribute it`s success as a herbicide partly to Monsanto`s widely advertised but grossly inaccurate claim that it is -
"Biodegradable and good for the environment"
Monsanto have since been successfully prosecuted for false advertising, once in 1996 in New York and again in France more recently in 2007. The fines involved with such prosecutions are a fraction of the profits made by organisations as large as Monanto. The wording of the advertising is restructured, few people are any the wiser, and the product continues to be sold worldwide.
Biodegradable and good for the environment - According to tests by Monsanto itself; Only 2% of the product breaks down after 28 days.
Many scientific studies have also shown that round up is highly toxic.
For example; it promotes cell division disfunction as demonstrated in a study by Professor Robert Belle. Professor Belle works for the French National centre for Scientific Research as well as the Pierre and Marie curie institute in France. Quoting him; "Round up provokes the first stages that lead to cancer"
Ken Cook, President of the Environmental working group "We would never trust a company like Monsanto to tell the truth about a pollution problem or a product."
The dangers associated with Round up are explained fully here
So is there an alternative to herbicide use in relation to Rhododendron stump treatment? Possibly...
Alternatives to herbicides?
In March 2012 I began a simple experiment. I felled a Rhododendron ponticum that was established in the garden at home. As you can see in the image to the left, it left a substantial stump when compared with the chain saw. My tactic was to divide the stump by cutting four cuts crossing one another and forming an eight pointed star. In the centre of the star, which also represented the heart of the stump itself, I also delivered a vertical plunge cut with the chain saw as deep as the chainsaw blade would allow. Working from the deep centre plunge cut, I then worked the chainsaw blade back out to the ends of the points of the stars ensuring that the cuts became shallower as I reached the outermost point of the cuts.
My thinking behind this methodology was to create a trap for water, right in the heart of the stump. When rain the spring rain fell, it would find it`s way easily to the centre of the stump and sit there. My objective being that this would increase the likelihood of the stump rotting.
My thinking behind this methodology was to create a trap for water, right in the heart of the stump. When rain the spring rain fell, it would find it`s way easily to the centre of the stump and sit there. My objective being that this would increase the likelihood of the stump rotting.
.
I sheet mulched over the entire area with thick layers of soaked cardboard over-laid with a thick layer of home produced compost. I also added soil from beneath a pile of logs elsewhere in the garden that were fruiting well with fungi, hoping that the mycelium would be transferred across to the site.
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I surface mulched the area with straw, threw in a mixture of the seeds of various plants as well as a log from the fungal fruiting log pile for good measure.
(The timber in the back ground is from the eucalyptus tree felled last year which has since been integrated into a hugleculture mound).
(The timber in the back ground is from the eucalyptus tree felled last year which has since been integrated into a hugleculture mound).
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Germinating seeds began to sprout at the site in May and ferns can also be seen in the image to the right coming through at the edge of the sheet mulch. No sign of Rhododendron regeneration though.
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Early june and mustard seed, nasturtiums and ferns are developing. Still no sign of Rhododenron regenerative growth.
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Looking across at the site in mid june. Things are flourishing, but not the rhododendron.
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Another view of the site at the end of June. A small polyculture has been planted in the foreground.
I think at this stage, three and a half months later in the season of new growth, that it is safe to assume that there will be no Rhododendron stump regeneration.
If this small experiment is anything to go by, there is the potential to treat the stumps in such a manner even in large stands of Rhododendron. The extra time spent with the chainsaw implementing the plunge cuts into the heart of the stump could well eliminate the use of glyphosates. It is a methodology that I would certainly experiment further with and the Margam Forest Garden project would have been an ideal opportunity to do so.
In the case of Margam, in addition to the plunge cut treatment of the stumps my plan of attack would have been to implement multiple "Hot" compost piles directly on top of the stumps. An explanation of Hot 18 day composting is available here.
I think at this stage, three and a half months later in the season of new growth, that it is safe to assume that there will be no Rhododendron stump regeneration.
If this small experiment is anything to go by, there is the potential to treat the stumps in such a manner even in large stands of Rhododendron. The extra time spent with the chainsaw implementing the plunge cuts into the heart of the stump could well eliminate the use of glyphosates. It is a methodology that I would certainly experiment further with and the Margam Forest Garden project would have been an ideal opportunity to do so.
In the case of Margam, in addition to the plunge cut treatment of the stumps my plan of attack would have been to implement multiple "Hot" compost piles directly on top of the stumps. An explanation of Hot 18 day composting is available here.
Maintain
The combination of Rhododendron stump treatment and 18 day composting rebuilding soil structure could also be integrated with the application of dolomite to reduce acidity as suggested by Phil Corbett. In addition, the track above the site could be used to harvest water and direct it down the gradient at which the forest gardening would have been implemented. As it is a fairly steep gradient, already partly terraced, a system of swales could aid water retention at the site. With the Rhododendron out of the equation and soil improvements and water retention landscaping in place the site would very quickly evolve from an acidic desert of no benefit to people or animals to a garden of abundance with significantly improved levels of biodiversity and food production for people as well as the higher than natural density of Park deer, which currently cost a significant amount to feed with foodstuffs imported to the site rather than growing fodder on site - a singularly unsustainable way to manage a deer herd.
Leaving room in the design for outdoor classrooms would increase the educational resources at the Park substantially, potentially effecting the delivery of a multitude of crafts, skills, habitat management techniques and food growing methodologies that are not currently on offer at the Park. The design also provides the opportunity for courses to be held at the site, potentially increasing revenue. The Local Authority`s remit of addressing physical activity levels amongst the local population could also have been met with the diversity of activities that the project would potentially have included in addition to meeting other targets such as improving knowledge and experience of healthier diets.
Implementing the "Own rootstock coppiced orchard concept" would also have been an interesting and worthwhile experiment. Awareness would have been raised on many levels with regard to regenerative agriculture methodology with the potential to evolve, improve and learn. It certainly presents a prototype model of design that has enormous potential to re-integrate people into the landscape.
Evaluate
Once implemented and maintained, the project would benefit greatly from application of the permaculture principle: "Accept and respond to feedback". Fine tuning and developing the design further could be a thoroughly inclusive process, taking in to account the opinions, experience and ideas gained by everyone involved with the project and at all levels and taking into account:
......and probably considerably more!
Tweak
As discussed above, fine tuning the project design would be an ongoing and evolving process, taking into account the feedback and evaluation insight gained from all project participants and observers.
As I am unable to document this part of the project accurately I will instead reflect on what I have learnt from this design process.
A considerable amount! Has it been a waste of my time and energy? I don`t think so!
The combination of Rhododendron stump treatment and 18 day composting rebuilding soil structure could also be integrated with the application of dolomite to reduce acidity as suggested by Phil Corbett. In addition, the track above the site could be used to harvest water and direct it down the gradient at which the forest gardening would have been implemented. As it is a fairly steep gradient, already partly terraced, a system of swales could aid water retention at the site. With the Rhododendron out of the equation and soil improvements and water retention landscaping in place the site would very quickly evolve from an acidic desert of no benefit to people or animals to a garden of abundance with significantly improved levels of biodiversity and food production for people as well as the higher than natural density of Park deer, which currently cost a significant amount to feed with foodstuffs imported to the site rather than growing fodder on site - a singularly unsustainable way to manage a deer herd.
Leaving room in the design for outdoor classrooms would increase the educational resources at the Park substantially, potentially effecting the delivery of a multitude of crafts, skills, habitat management techniques and food growing methodologies that are not currently on offer at the Park. The design also provides the opportunity for courses to be held at the site, potentially increasing revenue. The Local Authority`s remit of addressing physical activity levels amongst the local population could also have been met with the diversity of activities that the project would potentially have included in addition to meeting other targets such as improving knowledge and experience of healthier diets.
Implementing the "Own rootstock coppiced orchard concept" would also have been an interesting and worthwhile experiment. Awareness would have been raised on many levels with regard to regenerative agriculture methodology with the potential to evolve, improve and learn. It certainly presents a prototype model of design that has enormous potential to re-integrate people into the landscape.
Evaluate
Once implemented and maintained, the project would benefit greatly from application of the permaculture principle: "Accept and respond to feedback". Fine tuning and developing the design further could be a thoroughly inclusive process, taking in to account the opinions, experience and ideas gained by everyone involved with the project and at all levels and taking into account:
- Health
- Physical activity
- Biodiversity
- Education and learning opportunities
- Food production
- Aesthetics
- Reducing the current work load of Park staff
- Further increasing revenue to the Park
......and probably considerably more!
Tweak
As discussed above, fine tuning the project design would be an ongoing and evolving process, taking into account the feedback and evaluation insight gained from all project participants and observers.
As I am unable to document this part of the project accurately I will instead reflect on what I have learnt from this design process.
A considerable amount! Has it been a waste of my time and energy? I don`t think so!
- I have been introduced to the Own rootstock coppiced orchard concept which I may not otherwise have discovered. It is an interesting concept certainly worth further exploration, one that I will always consider with future projects and one that I also hope others that read this may consider experimenting with should they be presented with the opportunity to do so.
- I have expanded my knowledge regarding Glyphosates and how damaging they are to ecosystems and human health.
- I have gained further experience in sourcing funding, and been successful in doing so.
- I have been driven to experiment with Rhododendron control and learnt a great deal in the process, discovering a potentially very useful methodology to experiment with and tweak further.
- I have learnt that it is wise to allow more time for such projects, and that I cannot always rely on external potential project partners to address matters with the same level of urgency that I may consider necessary.
Resources;
The knowledge and experience of Phil Corbett.
Digital camera, pen and paper, Microsoft word.
Books;
Rebecca Oaks and Edward Mills
Packed with useful information
Sepp Holzer
Full of earthy wisdom, beautifully illustrated, very hard to put down
Patrick Whitefield
Invaluable reference
David Jacke
Ecological theory and practice brought together, a mine of information. Thoroughly recommended, eloquently written and detailed reference
David Jacke
As above.
Martin Crawford
Very useful reference for cool temperate climates, although a variety of experimental exotics are referenced in the text.
Paul Stamets
A revolutionary reference book
Ben Pike
Comprehensive and explanatory, although some of the more conventional methodology described would suit more traditional orchards.
