About the Trust
The Millennium Field
Spring Planting

Autumn 2000


The Millennium seat contributed by Sparkford Parish Council has been erected at the top of the field. The seat has been built by Stephen Simmons, a stone-mason from Sutton Montis, using local and recycled stone. The large Capstone, found near the base of Cadbury Castle, was donated by Mr & Mrs Kerton - it is thought that it was originally worked to be Staddle Stone (or perhaps a catapult projectile from a Roman seige...?), but was not completed. It now forms the centrepiece of the seat that will enable visitors to enjoy magnificent views of Cadbury Castle and Corton Hills.

Millennium Field
Our survey of the first years growth showed that 90% of the trees planted have progressed satisfactorily. A small number of trees, notably Ash, are already growing beyond the top of their shelters. The majority have made encouraging growth. A loss of about 10% is only to be expected in a first year after planting.
Most of the casualties were the young beech trees that were planted last spring. They showed signs of aphid infestation during the late summer with their leaves dying prematurely and, subsequently, stems rotted at ground level. The reason for this appears to have been the use of closed tree shelters which limited ventilation and provided the right environment for the aphids to attack!
We are replacing these losses during this winter, using a new design of ventilated tree shelters for the replacement beeches.
However, tree or shrub shelters are very necessary in these fields, anything planted without them has been eaten, even conifers! - Evidence of the numerous rabbits and deer that frequents this area.

Grass spraying was carried out in late summer, clearing 2 -3 feet around the trees. There is no sign that the spray penetrated tree shelters, as demonstrated by the growth of grasses and bindweed around the trees inside the shelters. (This stray growth does not seem to have a noticeable effect on progress).
The mowing of the main paths by Mr Kerton was a useful contribution to easy access and keeping the open meadows low.

The pond excavated for us by Wessex Water has made a good start with vegetation quickly growing up around the edges and rearing its first 'crop' of tadpoles. The pond stayed wet all thru the year, the lowest point being a depth of 10 - 12 inches during our (brief) summer.
Wildflowers are starting to appear across the field but the old grass pasture is so luxurient it will take some years for them to become plentiful. A number of the taller wild flowers including mallow, appeared between the trees at the end of summer.

The Trust is funded by subscriptions from members and by maintenance grants from the Forestry Authority. Valuable technical support is also provided by Somerset County Council, the Woodland Trust and the Somerset Wildlife Advisory Trust. Subscription rates are:-