With autumn in full swing, the hedgerows of Stoke Park are bountiful in providing hawthorn berries, crab apples, rosehips, beech nuts, spindle berries, holly berries, rowan berries and even some hop seeds! Really Wild Lockleaze headed out with local residents to ‘Collect A Hedge’ - a quest to gather native tree seeds for residents to grow in their garden or community spaces as trees or hedgerows.

As we were collecting the seed, it was obvious how valuable these ancient habitats are for wildlife. The hedges were alive with a great number of bird species, especially house sparrows and starlings who were competing for noise. We had a wonderful display of plumage and singsong from a particular starling who chose to perch a few feet above our group in the hedgerow .

 “That pattern is so beautiful!”  Emmeline (age 7) exclaimed.

There seemed to be very few acorns this year - we surmised that the oaks must be tactfully waiting for the right conditions to fruit with a bumper ‘mast year’ of acorns, overwhelming the squirrels and other nut-eaters so that more acorns have the chance to sprout.

We have lost 50% of our hedgerows since World War 2 in a push for more efficient farming practices. However, the tide is turning as more people are beginning to realise the value of hedges in connecting habitats, providing food and shelter for birds, small mammals, bats and bumblebees, and playing host to a whole range of native plant species. These living boundaries that crisscross our land also provide carbon sequestration, flood prevention and air purification. The hedgerows in Stoke Park are given the space and time to become large and bushy, and the hedges aren’t flailed yearly meaning they have a chance to blossom and fruit.

There are more hedgerows in the UK than any other country, so much so they have become part of our cultural identity with rich folklore and foraging traditions, they are often referred to as medicine chests in the foraging world! So, we were respectful in our harvesting, taking no more than a quarter to a third of what was there, leaving plenty for wildlife and regeneration.

Collecting our own seed in this way has many benefits: Firstly, it’s free (ask for the landowner’s permission first). Secondly the seed collected is of local provenance – meaning it’s genetic makeup will be suited for the growing conditions of that area. It also connects you to the whole process of growing and gives you time to tune into your local environment. It’s satisfying to know that once germinated, these trees will benefit wildlife and become part of the Lockleaze ecosystem!

Once we had completed harvesting, we headed back to extract the seeds from the berries and prepare for sowing – one of those fun/messy jobs, perfect for all the family or as a mindful moment. So, what are you waiting for!? Head to www.treegrowersguide.org.uk for all the information you need to collect and grow your very own hedge from seed.

Really Wild Lockleaze, Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust, is part of the wider Community Climate Action Project coordinated by Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, funded by the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund and is a partnership project with Avon Wildlife Trust.