Early autumn brings a head start to Dartmoor tree seed gathering

Moor Trees is inviting people to take part in its annual seed-gathering programme, which runs through the woodlands of and around Dartmoor. No previous experience is needed, with volunteers taught how to identify different tree species, assess the health of trees and shrubs and understand the important role seed collection plays in woodland creation.

The charity collects seeds, berries and nuts from ancient and established woodlands before taking them to its two community tree nurseries. There, they are cleaned, stored and germinated before being grown into saplings.

After around two to three years, the young trees are planted by volunteers at sites across Dartmoor, helping to create new native woodland and restore existing habitats.

This year's hot and dry weather has already had an impact on the seed-gathering season. Some mature trees have begun dropping fruit and leaves earlier than normal as they respond to the lack of water.

Moor Trees volunteers have already been collecting hazelnuts, which would normally be ready around the middle of August but ripened several weeks earlier this year.

The impact of the drought has varied between species and locations, although trees growing within established woodlands have generally appeared more resilient to the heat and dry conditions.

The early start comes after a particularly productive year for Moor Trees, when volunteers collected 352,000 fruits, nuts, acorns and berries.

Dave Lewis, operations manager for Moor Trees, said: “Thanks to the generosity of volunteers, landowners and the Woodland Trust we are able to gather a wide range of local, native tree seed allowing us to grow resilient, local provenance trees in our two Community Tree Nurseries ready for woodland creation on Dartmoor.

“Our seed gathering days with the local community provide a unique opportunity to spend time in some of our most majestic local woodlands, learning more about the growth cycle of trees and how the charity is working hard to create future woodlands across the area.”

The programme is funded by the Woodland Trust, with support from Postcode Lottery players, and runs from mid-August until late October.

Adam Taylor, interim outreach manager for Woodland Trust, said: “We are pleased to be able to support Moor Trees. Their work fills a significant gap in the market by collecting locally sourced seeds and growing them into trees, many of which are difficult to source elsewhere.

“Because the seed comes from locally established trees, we know it originates from stock that is well suited to local conditions.

“This helps to improve survival rates and, in turn, enhances the health and resilience of new woods and trees, many of which will be planted within the region’s temperate rainforest zone.”

Among the species grown by Moor Trees are oak, hawthorn, hazel, field maple, guelder rose, rowan, blackthorn, crab apple and alder buckthorn.

Collecting seed locally is particularly valuable because the resulting trees are grown from plants that have already adapted to the conditions of the region. The young trees can then be used to help expand and strengthen native woodland habitats.

Moor Trees has a long-running programme of woodland creation on Dartmoor, with volunteers involved throughout the year in growing trees and planting new native woodland.

Members of the public can join Moor Trees at a series of seed-gathering days during September and October:

• Sunday, September 6 – Hembury Woods
• Sunday, September 13 – Newbridge
• Thursday, September 17 – Bovey Valley Woods
• Sunday, September 20 – Dart Valley nature reserve, afternoon only, following the Moor Trees AGM at Badger’s Holt, which is open to all
• Thursday, September 24 – Plymbridge Woods
• Sunday, September 27 – Woodah Farm
• Sunday, October 4 – Venford Reservoir
• Sunday, October 11 – Emsworth Mire

More information about the seed-gathering activities is available at www.moortrees.org/events

People can also support the charity by volunteering, creating woodland on their land or donating at www.moortrees.org/donate