Part of my garden is a steep riparian woodland. It's only a little bit, but there are parts that are either impossible or unwise to climb. It is just about possible to grow Wild Garlic in some spots, so that's at least one useful food plant (and I do cook with it very occasionally if I want garlic at all). I have tried adding Blackcurrant cuttings, but deer seek them out and destroy them. However, elsewhere I have seen Gooseberries doing very well in such an environment. Hazels, of course, do bear hazelnuts, Beech bear Beech mast (my young Beech trees aren't there yet). Wild Raspberries are another I have seen growing in such a situation. I haven't tried using a hybrid version, but I reckon they'd work - and the birds will probably prefer to eat those in less disturbed circumstances. I have a few trees leaning over, and I try to manage a few by removing the weightier limbs off some of them (for firewood), and encouraging the tree to resprout from the base. Sycamores must have really good tap roots too, because I have a few large Sycamores, and they do well at staying upright. Good to see a video on riparian woodlands. I think many people overlook just how much acreage they must cover, and they are great places of safety for many wildlife.
That sounds gorgeous. Blackcurrent bushes should grow for you, especially if gooseberries grow well there. Maybe grow them a bit bigger before planting them in the woods & perhaps plant them amond some rushes or brambles to protect from the deer. Do you know that you can eat hazel catkins (preferably roasted)? They are a brilliant winter protein crop. Wild raspberries are very easy to transplant a sucker during the dormant season. Raspberries seem to grow better in a dryer bit. Also wild strawberries 🍓 are a brilliant woodland crop, also liking a dry bank or steep bits. in the woods. Spindle & guelder rose might grow well for you. Not so much for foraging, but just to add a bit more diversity to the under-canopy. Beech will take ages to produce nuts. Thanks for taking the time to tell us all about this. I wish you success in introducing loads more edible Wild Plants & getting as much from your riparian woods as possible.
Part of my garden is a steep riparian woodland. It's only a little bit, but there are parts that are either impossible or unwise to climb.
It is just about possible to grow Wild Garlic in some spots, so that's at least one useful food plant (and I do cook with it very occasionally if I want garlic at all).
I have tried adding Blackcurrant cuttings, but deer seek them out and destroy them. However, elsewhere I have seen Gooseberries doing very well in such an environment. Hazels, of course, do bear hazelnuts, Beech bear Beech mast (my young Beech trees aren't there yet).
Wild Raspberries are another I have seen growing in such a situation. I haven't tried using a hybrid version, but I reckon they'd work - and the birds will probably prefer to eat those in less disturbed circumstances.
I have a few trees leaning over, and I try to manage a few by removing the weightier limbs off some of them (for firewood), and encouraging the tree to resprout from the base.
Sycamores must have really good tap roots too, because I have a few large Sycamores, and they do well at staying upright.
Good to see a video on riparian woodlands. I think many people overlook just how much acreage they must cover, and they are great places of safety for many wildlife.
That sounds gorgeous.
Blackcurrent bushes should grow for you, especially if gooseberries grow well there. Maybe grow them a bit bigger before planting them in the woods & perhaps plant them amond some rushes or brambles to protect from the deer.
Do you know that you can eat hazel catkins (preferably roasted)? They are a brilliant winter protein crop.
Wild raspberries are very easy to transplant a sucker during the dormant season. Raspberries seem to grow better in a dryer bit. Also wild strawberries 🍓 are a brilliant woodland crop, also liking a dry bank or steep bits. in the woods.
Spindle & guelder rose might grow well for you. Not so much for foraging, but just to add a bit more diversity to the under-canopy.
Beech will take ages to produce nuts.
Thanks for taking the time to tell us all about this. I wish you success in introducing loads more edible Wild Plants & getting as much from your riparian woods as possible.
Sounds amazing. I wish you could document it. And there are deer ? ❤ I bet your place is a pristine