44 acres

[Billy's lad]

I live in a house with 44 acres at the back which used to be an old golf course , in time to come it will probably be developed in to about 300 houses , I do not own the ground or house but live here and look after it until such time as work starts which could be 10+ years

I would like to improve / plant up the boundaries which will remain as a bit of a legacy of me and the dogs being here

Two sides are mature wood one road and the other a railway Alongside the railway it is quite bare and I wonder what you learned people think about this

I thought of planting some rosebuds to encourage growth along here and a few trees as I am sure this boundary will remain untouched

any ideas ?

[ecudc]

Oaks are long lasting and if you get it established the you could seek a tree preservation order. Cherrys have lovely blossom in spring. Red maple has beautiful autumn colour. You could try a one of the giant redwoods for a giggle. They don't get as big here as it's not ideal conditions but it would certainly be a landmark.

[nickdub]

Sounds like the world's your lobster, as long as you can afford it pick what you fancy. I'd probably plant some fruit and nut trees and may be a few other trees for blossom and/or leaf colour - but that's just my own preference.

[Chestnut]

you could have a look at the woodland trust website for some ideas. Their shop sells tree packs based on a broad theme (eg wild harvest, year round colour), some selections are primarily hedgrow plants, others bigger trees. They should give you some ideas.
You could also browse the pages about free trees and tree planting grants, which may or may not be relevant, depending on who owns the land and whether or not there are charity/community group links?

[Scarlet]

How much are you going to spend? Buying trees and shrubs is an expensive hobby.

[KevinM67]

44 acres !!!!

I'd just run about naked in it all day, safe in the knowledge that I wouldn't probably be seen.

Having lived mostly in 'estates' most of life, where people can tell you what you were doing last night because their was a gap in your curtains - your life seems like bliss.

I did stay 'out in the sticks' on a Greek island in my early 20s - but was too young to really appreciate it.

What to do now - get an allotment group up and running, make it hard for future developers

Reclaim our land !!!

[Snoop Puss]

I'm not sure I've understood, Billy's lad. Are you proposing to grow along the border with the railway? If so, it may be that the land there is deliberately kept bare by railway track maintenance people. It would be a shame if all your efforts were strimmed away.

[bikermike]

Home - Small Woods

this lot may be able to offer some guidance on trees.

In that period you might be able to pollard some trees, which is something different.

bees would love it if it became a wildflower meadow