In order to be listed on a Register presented to the Queen, the Woodland Trust needed us to provide a name. We always used to call the trees 'the trees' but Liz's list requires something more official and rightly so. The first and only suggestion (thanks Chris n Hev !) was to name the woodland 'Milkwood'. It seemed to make perfect sense given that the field where the woodland now sits has for many years been used as pasture for the cows milked in the building that is our new home. I also like the idea that milk is pure and so far, despite my desire to pour chemicals on our dock weeds, we've managed to avoid using any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
A brief internet search on the name 'Milkwood' presented us with web sites for a gallery, a publishing company, a film company, a play by Dylan Thomas and of most interest to ourselves a company called Milkwood Permaculture based in Australia . If you're interested in sustainable living then these guys offer a host of tips and ideas for a simpler way of living. If we were to be half as active and resourceful as them then we'd be very happy. We can but try. This brings us nicely to a full circle in that the permaculture element is our real reason for planting the woodland. We want to develop our smallholding with the principles of permaculture in mind. The trees will help to create a diverse natural habitat for plants insects and animals to thrive. The benefit to us and future generations will be a natural habitat that is low maintenance but provides efficient food yields, fuel and building materials.
"The ecologically-destructive path we are on is as if all of humanity is in a giant car heading towards a brick wall at 100 miles per hour. Everyone in it is arguing about where to sit. Permaculturalists are some of the only ones who know how to put on the brakes and turn the wheel"
Dr David Suzuki
award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster
