2009
/Spring 2009
A bit late due to being busy in the creek, but we have planted a grove of 21 Lebanese Cedars -Cedrus libani. Located near the gates to the hothouse, you can watch these grow as you drive past Deans Marsh, they look like lots of little christmas trees!
Also planted were 4 Pear trees -Pyrus communis v.beurre bosc. These are planted right next to 2 huge existing Pear trees which are well over 100 years old, to form the new Pear grove. Situated next to one of the dams, it will make a lovely place for a picnic in years to come. And finally the remaining 4 Date Palms -Phoenix dacterlifera were planted at the southern terminus of the Avenue and the Loop, one for each corner of the crossroad.
Winter 2009
The circular hedge of Yew Trees -Taxus baccata has been replanted after the "Pivot" was re-built to have formal brickworks done in a perfect circle, with drainage for the Yews and compacted gravel put in a pathway around the outside, and inside the circle.
A gathering of over 100 people came to see the special planting by local women, all mothers to symbolise growth and nurturing, and was followed by a massive bonfire, with BBQ provided by Otway Prime, and firetwirling by the local group Southern Elements and friends.
"The yew trees we have planted together here at the pivot symbolise growth and long life. Both Druids with their belief in reincarnation, and later Christians with their teaching of the resurrection, regarded it as a natural emblem of everlasting life. Its capacity for great age has enriched its wonderful symbolic value.
So the yew has always been a symbol of death and rebirth, the new that springs out of the old, and a fitting tree for the heart of Frogwood Arboretum. We mothers and grandmothers of Deans Marsh bless these 12 yew trees and affirm our hope for the future, that they may grow and flourish for many hundreds of years, bringing strength, heart and sustainability to this magical forest of the future ..."
Summer 2009
In the centre of the English Oak Grove -Quercus robur we have constructed a central pivot with bricked edging circular bed, gravel centre, and entry points at North, South, East and West compass points. This will be planted with Yew Trees -Taxus baccata in a circular hedge soon.
