The Phantom Planter

 This day 4 years ago me and wee betty was at the Major oak aka Robin Hood oak in Sherwood Forest getting acorns from this magnificent tree that is now dead.  We were so lucky to get so many that year and we probably got the last acorns this oak tree will ever produce.  All of these acorns have now been grown up and planted around our Lisnabreeny Community Orchard.  I've been lucky enough to get acorns from a good few ancient trees that may not have much longer to live. The Magog Oak of Glastonbury and The Belvoir Oak of Belfast.  Both these trees have been slowly dying for many years now.  This makes The Phantom Planters Oak Spiral all the more special having these rare ancient oak genetics.  Its the time of year we should all be out gathering natures seeds and growing them up to phantom plant.  You want to do something good for nature and society?  Phantom planting trees is one of the positive actions we can do.  I challenge you to pha...

This is is curly willow or also known as a corkscrew willow tree that we phantom planted about 5 years ago.  I love when walking out and about and you see your phantom planted trees pop up unexpectedly.  I've phantom planted that many I cant remember where half of them are.  Good to see this one doing well though.  Why not phantom plant yourself a sneaky tree on your walks. Its a great buzz seeing it grow. And it will make you want to get out walking more regularly to check on your tree.  Bring a litter picker with you also and give your walks even more purpose I have walked myself fitter than I've ever been going round checking on my phantom planted trees.  You have no idea the connection, learning and mental stimulation you get from phantom planting trees.  I was saying to my mate last night as we were checking on trees that this really is a lifelong PHD I'm doing with tree planting.  I've planted so many different ways, with so many different v...

  So yesterday I made a start at checking over every phantom planted fruit tree I've planted.  1 hour a day I'm setting aside for this, Right after my gym in the morning me and wee betty will be going around weeding and looking after the trees. Pruning off any bad bits and just giving them all a good health check.   I'll also be bringing my litter picker with me and taking away any rubbish I come across.  Spend more time with trees and dogs and less time on here taking in disturbing BS. Do your bit for community and nature guys.  I've got to a stage in life now where I question how I'm using my time more every day.  I dont really care how many pullups I can do or how big my pecs are anymore. Or how fast I can make it up a mountain.  Whats more important to me is what I'm contributing to nature and society.  This is the goal of life for me. Have no idea how I came to this place after a life of ducking and diving. But it just feels the right th...

 So guys it will be coming up to bare root planting season usually around the end of November when you can buy trees really cheap. Bare root means they dont come in pots. They are just small normally 1 year old trees with the roots exposed ready to phantom plant.  You can pick up many native trees like oaks, birches, beeches and more for as little as a pound each if you check around your local nurseries or many will post them online too.  These ones in the pics are 2 year old bare root fruit trees. Planting them is much more easier also and in most cases bare root trees dont need watered during the summer compared to potted growing trees.  Although in extreme droughts always check your trees.  I have noticed though that here in Belfast so many of my bare root planted fruit trees have gone through extreme heatwaves without water and survived ok.   The ones I watered and mulched though thrived and grew much bigger, faster and healthier. Just always keep an ey...

 This is the Irish yew tree at the centre of The Phantom Planters Oak Spiral. These trees live for thousands of years with some saying they are immortal.  This Irish yew is a bit different than any I have ever seen. The colour and leaf structure is very unusual. It even feels thicker and denser than others I have seen. You have golden Irish yews and then you have your normal green Irish yews, but this one is sightly different than both of them. Its more wild and rugged looking which I love.  Coming into summer I was starting to think it was dying as it was slow to show any new growth compared to other Irish yews. Then when it did put out new shoots they grew very slow and so different than the way other Irish yews grow. I have both golden and normal Irish yews around my cabin so I have been observing them closely and this one in the centre of our spiral is just a unique one off type of Irish yew that I think is just meant to be centrepiece of The Phantom Planters Oak Spir...

 After a storm get down to the beach and grab some washed up seaweed. Just mulch directly round your trees not too close to the trunk.  So many say the salt will kill your trees and others say the minerals are good for them.  I never wash mine and all the trees I added  it too over the years are thriving.  Just dont go ripping live seaweed off rocks. Always get the stuff thats washed up.