	BROCKLANDS
	Woodland Burial

Planting and Maintenance

Trees and/or native wildflowers are planted on each grave.

In common with good forestry practice, the tree planting is done during the winter months (November - March), using bare-rooted trees mostly in the range of 60-90 cms. There is also a period of a few months after an interment when the ground is left to settle, before any planting can be done. This could mean that a burial which takes place in late winter may not have a tree planted on that grave until the following winter.

Trees are planted with sufficient room for them to grow and create a canopy for wildlife to hide in and under. Woodchip is used as a mulch on most of the graves to suppress grass and undesirable weeds, and provides an appropriate growing medium for plant development. Wildflowers have been and will continue to be planted, either as bulbs, plants or seeds, species to include bluebell, foxglove, dog violet, primrose and others.

The trees and shrubs used at Brocklands are native and typical of those found in this area. In order to keep an overall balance of species in the wood, we carry out all the planting, ensuring that they are 'arranged' naturally and all of British origin. Families are offered a choice of tree depending on the type of plot, and can even help to plant it if they wish. See Tree Lists

Although we aim to create as natural an area of woodland as possible, it is nonetheless necessary for it to be managed. Weed control needs to be carried out periodically to ensure that the trees flourish, and we remove thistles and brambles in particular, to try and stop them taking hold. The area was until recently improved pasture grassland for cows, and this takes time to make the transition into woodland habitat. Consequently the grass on the site may be mown, but not before any wild flowers have set their seed.