Trees and hedgerow project in 2023/2024

After much research, a course in biodiversity on the farm, reflection and planning in 2023/24 we planted 85 trees and hundreds of mixed hedgerow plants to support biodiversity corridors around Feely organic farm. The project cost just over €5k excluding tax and was 50% supported by Nouvelle Aquitaine under their tree planting programme (details below).

Trees planted

The selection of trees planted at Chateau Feely contributes significantly to biodiversity, offering food, shelter, and breeding sites for various species details below. See the plant name followed by the number planted and the description and benefits below.

(Chat GPT provided some of the description and biodiversity benefits noted below)

Tree Name	Number Planted	Description & Biodiversity Benefits
European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)	17	A deciduous tree with dense foliage, providing shelter for birds and insects. Its catkins offer food for pollinators, and its seeds feed birds and small mammals.
Ash (Frene) (Fraxinus excelsior)	17	A tall, fast-growing tree with compound leaves. Supports many insect species, particularly moths and butterflies. Provides nesting sites for birds.
Fig ‘Brown Turkey’ (Ficus carica)	11	A fruit-bearing tree with large, lobed leaves. Its figs provide food for birds and mammals, while its flowers support pollinators. We can eat the figs too!
Cherry St. Lucia (Prunus mahaleb)	2	A small tree producing fragrant white flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Its berries feed birds and small mammals.
Cherry (Merisier) (Prunus avium)	11	Also known as wild cherry, it has beautiful spring blossoms supporting pollinators and produces cherries that are a vital food source for birds. The cherries are sour but delicious for humans to eat and packed with vitamin C.
Willow Marsault (Pussy Willow, Goat Willow, Great Sallow) (Salix caprea)	10	A fast-growing tree that is crucial for early-season pollinators due to its nectar-rich catkins. Provides shelter and food for caterpillars and birds.
Wild Apple Tree (Malus sylvestris)	2	A hardy tree producing small apples that feed birds and mammals. Its spring flowers support bees and other pollinators.
Myrobalan Plum (Prunus cerasifera)	2	A small fruiting tree that flowers early, providing an important nectar source for bees. The fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Common Medlar (Mespilus germanica)	2	A slow-growing tree with distinctive fruits that persist into winter, providing food for wildlife. Its flowers support pollinators.
Wild Pear Tree (Pyrus pyraster)	2	Produces small, hard pears that feed birds and mammals. The flowers attract bees, and the tree offers nesting spots for birds.
Cormier (Service Tree or Sorb Tree) (Sorbus domestica)	9	A rare, long-lived tree producing fruits that feed birds and mammals. Its flowers support pollinators, and its dense foliage provides cover for wildlife.

Hedgerow plants planted

The hedgerows planted as part of the project are fantastic for biodiversity and support a wide range of pollinators, birds, and mammals, offering shelter and food sources through the seasons.

The photo below is the initial planning.

(Chat GPT provided some of the description and biodiversity benefits noted below)

Plant Name	Number Planted	Description & Biodiversity Benefits
Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata)	9	A nectar-rich tree that attracts bees and butterflies. Provides shelter for birds and small mammals, and its leaves are food for caterpillars.
Country Maple (Field Maple) (Acer campestre)	46	A hardy, deciduous tree with winged seeds that feed birds and small mammals. Its flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and dense foliage shelters insects and birds.
Common Hazel (Corylus avellana)	48	Produces catkins that provide early pollen for bees and nuts that are a crucial food source for birds, squirrels, and small mammals. Also supports many insect species.
Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)	10	A dense, semi-evergreen shrub with small white flowers that attract pollinators. Its black berries feed birds, and the dense foliage provides nesting sites.
Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus)	27	A deciduous shrub with striking pink and orange berries that feed birds. Its flowers support pollinators, and the dense structure provides shelter.
Blackthorn (Sloe) (Prunus spinosa)	33	Produces early white blossoms for pollinators and dark sloes that feed birds and mammals. Its thorny branches provide excellent nesting protection. Sloes can also be great in Sloe Gin.
Rosehip (Rosa spp.)	43	A climbing shrub with fragrant flowers that support bees. Its red hips provide winter food for birds and mammals, and it offers excellent shelter for wildlife. We love to eat rosehip in winter for their vitamin C.
Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)	50	Produces clusters of white flowers for pollinators and black berries that are a vital food source for birds. Also provides cover and nesting sites. We love elderflower cordial and Sean makes an incredible elderberry extract that is a fantastic immunity booster.
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)	27	A deciduous shrub with white flowers that attract bees, followed by red berries that sustain birds through winter. Dense growth offers shelter.
Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana)	15	A tough shrub with creamy-white flowers for pollinators and red-to-black berries for birds. Its dense foliage supports insects and provides bird nesting sites.

Then in 2024/25 vineyard shareholders and wine club members helped us plant more than 20 oak seedlings and a smattering of other species.

Find out more about Chateau Feely’s biodiversity and tree planting project and join us as a Supporter of the Biodiversity project . This support is to help us to maintain the trees and hedges. By helping us to establish these biodiversity corridors and trees, you create multiple benefits for our planet. Read about why supporting biodiversity and addressing climate change are critical to all our futures and how to do it in Caro Feely’s book Cultivating Change.

Discover more about Biodiversity in our extensive article on agroforestry and trees in vineyards.

Book into the Lodge or the Cottage self catering. Come and learn more about organic farming with a visit to Chateau Feely in South West France ; stay with us or do a multi day course or multi day walking tour or a multi day Wine tour.

You can read about the story of Feely organic farm the highly acclaimed vineyard series.

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