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Lets get making our streets and estates into urban orchard for everyone to have free fresh food!

Just get phantom planting.

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 Did a post the other day about me coming across this random tree by Loch Lomand and some people seemed to have gotten there knickers in a twist. Some accusing me of planting a non native tree that could wreck devastation to the surrounding areas. Like an ecological bomb has just been planted.  I'm very sure who ever planted this tree bought it from the local garden centre down the road and it hasn't been smuggled in by the Columbian Cartel.  Also where this tree was planted is surrounded by non native laurels, beech and probably a many more species. Collecting and growing native trees is always much better for the ecology and survival of the tree but I think its more important to get people planting trees first and building their connections back to nature.  Like me 10 years ago, I hadn't a clue, I couldn't even have told you what an acorn looked like.  Fast-forward to today and its a passion of mine preserving the linage of ancient oak trees and Irish variety ...

Making my way round Scotland

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 Some pics from yesterday's travels. I'm now up in Findhorn Beach. Amazing drive from Glasgow up past Loch Lomand and onto visit the Fortingall yew.  Stopped off at some amazing waterfalls on the way and then went for a walk at wild cat way.  Didn't bring my phone with me to take pics of wild cat way but it's an area in Newtonmore where they have fenced off lots of the valleys and mountains to keep all grazing animals out and its grown into a natural forest like what you have seen thousands of years ago before all the sheep and cattle started running over the land eating every bit of tree life that pokes its head above the ground.  I'm thinking this is why you call it wild cat way as if there was still wild cats on the landscape the land would be much more forested, keeping grazing animals moving and not hanging around the one area munching everything in site. We dont realise how good wolves and wildcats help forests.  Deer is a massive problem here in Scotland ...

Scotland travels.

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 Me and wee betty are heading back to this spot this morning on Loch Lomand for a workout. Always bring my gym rings away with me and hang them on trees to train. No matter where I am in the world first thing I do every day is train.  Can't wait to get barefoot and climb a few trees also, dipping in and out of the water.  My big Glaswegian pal knows the quite spots around Loch Lomand. Can't beat a bit of local knowledge.  After this we will be heading to the Fortingall yew tree. One of the oldest trees in the world. Looking forward to meditating at this tree. See what downloads are to be had with this ancient wisdom keeper.  We have no idea what these old trees have been observing and storing over the years. This yew some say is 9000 year old. WTF like!!!! These trees deserve respect.  Steeped in history, filled full of mystery, these ancient yews are the real church pews.  Funny how these ancient yews are always at churches yet they outdate Christiani...

My wee best mate

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 My wee best mate is never too far.  10 years now me and wee betty have been a team, running around the country planting and chanting, we've been on all sorts of adventures together. And tomorrow we are off on another adventure over to Scotland. Going to spend some time with my big Buddha brother and also want to see the Fortingall yew tree, one of the oldest trees in Europe, with some estimating it to be up to 9000 year old.  Have a great day guys. Peace and love  The Phantom Planter

Phantom apples getting ripe!

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 Think with all the recent heatwaves mixed with plenty of rain has sped up certain variety apples ripening. This tree being a discovery variety which is usually ripe in August is not far off being ready now. Although I do like the tart taste of apples.  Beauty of bath is another early ripening variety also, which is one of my favorite!  This tree was phantom planted about 10 years ago just by the side of the road in South Belfast.  I love this tree, was one of the first I planted. Back then I had not coined the name then phantom planter yet, it was more environmental graffiti for me.  Fast forward 10 years and this has been the best type of rascality I've ever gotten into!  I ignored everyone back then, all the naysayers, all the constipated people that think they know everything. This tree was to get ripped out by the council and never going to make it so many were saying.  10 years on this tree is still thriving.  I challenge you all to phantom ...

Phantom planting spectator

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 I bring my old mate out to spectate when phantom planting!

Natures palace.

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 Was down walking around the Belvoir memorial orchard aka The Phantom Planters HQ last night and cant believe the size everything is getting. What used to be an unused overgrown patch of land that lay like this for as long as I can remember is now a thriving orchard feeding the community and nature! Last night I seen a Jay sitting on a branch getting stuck into an apple. The only place I've ever seen jays before is at the orchard eating our apples. For the past few years I have seen them come to our orchard and I've never noticed them anywhere else before here in Belfast considering I'm always out on nature walks too, it really does surprise me that I've never spotted them before. I seen loads of butterflies also feasting on the half eaten apples that the jays must have left. Its a great feeling known you've created something thats beneficial for nature. I love to see the wildlife helping themselves to the phantom planted trees. Its really got me thinking though abo...