Wild Burwell

Category: Projects

Projects we are involved in

  • Burwell Community Tree Nursery

    The community tree nursery is located alongside the community orchard in Priory Meadow, Priory Close, Burwell CB25 0HW. Planting local trees and hedging is part of Wild Burwell’s aim to improve biodiversity in and around Burwell, and the tree nursery is where many of the trees will start their lives. There are a number of organisations that supply young trees for planting projects, but these ‘whips’ are small and vulnerable, and need to be protected with a plastic tube to prevent damage from deer and other animals when planted out. Unfortunately, the tubes restrict growth and limit the amount of sunlight that can reach the new leaves, making it a challenge for the trees to thrive at this early stage. The safe environment of the tree nursery will allow the whips to spend some time growing and maturing without a protective tube, so they stand a better chance of surviving once planted out in their permanent location.

    To ensure a good supply of trees into the future, members of Wild Burwell plant seeds, nuts and berries in the autumn, growing new trees from the ones already found in our local area. These young trees will also start their journey in the tree nursery before finding their home in our community.

    The ‘community’ part of our tree nursery is very important to us – the trees are available, for free, for Burwell residents to plant in their gardens or for local businesses and organisations to plant on their land. We held a successful tree giveaway day in November 2023 – over 150 saplings left the tree nursery for their new homes! Look out for information about our next tree giveaway day in 2024.

    We are also very happy to take in any young trees that have been growing somewhere unsuitable and are looking for a new home (sorry, no walnut, horse chestnut or sycamore please). Planting more trees in our village is part of Burwell Parish Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, because trees not only provide homes for our local wildlife, but also lock up carbon as they grow, helping us lower our local carbon footprint. As well as the trees given to local residents and organisation, Wild Burwell has planted trees at Spring Close meadow and Pauline’s Swamp.

    If you want to get involved in the work being done at the tree nursery, would like to take a tree home or drop one off, or know of land that might be a good site for a tree planting project, please do get in touch – info@wildburwell.org

  • Nest box installations

    Fitting Bird Box

    Helping birds find homes

    In 2024, Wild Burwell successfully applied for a grant from East Cambridgeshire District Council to improve our local environment. We identified a need for bird nest boxes in Burwell, and the grant funded the purchase and installation of over 100 nest boxes.

    Look out for our nest boxes (and any resident birds) in the large trees around Margaret Field and in Spring Close Field. House martin cups were also supplied to residents in Felsham Chase, where house martins have previously been spotted, and we look forward to hearing news of resident house martins in 2025.

  • Roadside verges

    The importance of roadside verges

    The public grassy areas alongside roads and footpaths are a frequently overlooked habitat for wildflowers – and for all the creatures that depend on our native plants. 

    Managing these areas in a way that promotes diversity and supports local wildlife is one of Wild Burwell’s ongoing projects. We have worked with Burwell Parish Council to agree an improved mowing schedule for the verges in Burwell – allowing the existing wild plants to grow, flower and set seed during the spring and summer.

    In 2024, the yearly number of verge cuts was reduced and no cuts were undertaken between April and June. A variety of common British wildflowers were observed to flower on the verges and especially on Pound Hill and Mill Close Green, where Wild Burwell volunteers raked up the cuttings after the July cut. Raking up the cuttings and disposing of them slowly reduces the fertility of the soil – allowing the more delicate wildflowers to compete against grasses and other vigorous plants that prefer fertile soils.

    If you would like to see more wildflowers in your garden – and support bees, butterflies, birds and bats – try leaving areas of your lawn uncut over the summer. See what comes up! Even the humble dandelion is a very rich source of nectar and pollen. For more information about the importance of grasslands and how you can help local wildlife check out the charity Plantlife https://www.plantlife.org.uk/no-mow-may-can-your-garden-be-a-carbon-store/