- D.I.Y. hurdles
- Unusual tree and shrub species grown
- Unusual fruit grown
- The Importance of BEES for fruit
Uses for Trees
Many trees have uses which were once commonplace but have been largely forgotten, such as ropemaking from species such as lime. Others have uses which are becoming ever more applicable in the modern world, such as biomass production from willow species. This is a fascinating subject, and at Gawmless End we are growing many different varieties out of interest, to see which do best and might therefore have a place in the modern version of hillfarming.
Edible UsesThere are many trees and shrubs which produce fruit or nuts, or products such as oil from these, which are delicious raw or when processed, eg. for jam. Some trees produce edible saps, others edible leaves. Still others can be managed as useful forage crops for livestock.
We have several varieties of apple, pear, plum and cherry growing on, and a productive range of red- white- and blackcurrants, gooseberries and hybrid and other berries. Berry shrubs seem to do exceptionally well here with minimal attention, apart from the nurturing of any plant which provides nectar or pollen around their flowering time (in order to attract and encourage bees to pollinate the berry bushes). Different sorts of nut trees, including pine nuts and edible acorn varieties, are also present - see our unusual trees pages.