Greening Chinnor: Donkey Lane Community Orchard – Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Hedge

During the spring of 2022 Greening Chinnor volunteers planted over 370 hedging shrubs in the Orchard hedge running adjacent to the lane. The intention was to plant a native mixed species hedge to commemorate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and was part of the nationwide tree planting initiative ‘The Queen’s Green Canopy’.

Orchard hedge as detailed on the QGC map

The hedge is intended to have several beneficial purposes for the local environment and community:

to provide a wildlife corridor along the length of the orchard
be a food and nesting resource for wildlife
give picking and foraging opportunities for the local community
and finally, to look wonderful

Varieties planted include: Hawthorn, Cornelian Cherry, Hazel, Kentish Cob (Lambert’s Filbert), Spindle, Dog Rose, Cherry Plum, Wayfaring Tree, Bledlow Bullace, Sea Buckthorn, Field Maple and Holly. The hedging was planted whilst the bushes were still in winter dormancy and before the bird nesting season started.

Before planting could begin, the ground had to be cleared of any weeds and debris. This took place over several working parties before the planting, enabling us to hold a purely ‘planting day’ and invite members of the community to assist. All the new trees required protection from rabbits and muntjac, with each tree staked and surrounded by tree protection. Once the trees have established the protection will be removed.

As the extremely hot and dry summer of 2022 progressed, we were all a little concerned that there would be some significant losses. However, as the drought continued, we were reassured that we had very few casualties. We also had very little damage from muntjac and rabbits. Once the rains returned at the end of summer, we were delighted to see the hedging put on a little spurt of fresh green leaf before settling down for much deserved winter rest.

At the beginning of 2023 we cleared any weeds right along the line of the hedge. This enabled us to see a few gaps which were filled in early 2023.

Alan Brawn June 2022