On a very wet morning on Tuesday June 13th 2006, the Catton Park Project

was officially launched by the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Richard Jewson.

After Richard Jewson's launch speech, Mr David Dowding gave a talk on

terraventing.  David explained that many of the trees in Catton Park are under

considerable stress because of many years of intensive farming and soil

compaction particularly since the start of the Second World War when Catton Park

was ploughed up for war-time food production.  This has resulted in some of the

tree roots being starved of oxygen and nutrients.  The "die-back" that is clearly

visible at the top of some trees is a sign of a tree under considerable stress.

David went on to explain than much had been learned about tree health in the

last 20 years, and especially since the great storms of October 1987 when many

trees in the UK suffered damage.  It was since then that the process of

terraventing has been developed.  David then went on to give a demonstration

of the process using a terravent on one of the oak trees in Catton Park that dates

back to around 1640.

A terravent is a pneumatic machine used to improve soil condition and to treat

plant roots. Using the terravent, soil can be decompacted and aerated and

beneficial fungus can be injected.  Trees that are in decline or under stress, such

as the oaks in Catton Park, can be treated with a terravent. The machine uses a

probe which is pushed into the ground; through this probe Nitrogen gas is fired

under pressure (this gas is clean and environmentally friendly). This pressurised

gas produces fractures in the compacted soil structure, which allows air to enter.

As well as aerating and decompacting the soil, it is possible to introduce

recommended liquid nutrients containing beneficial constituents such as

Mycorrhizal Fungi.  This is carried out immediately after the decompaction blast

to ensure the infusion of the liquid into the freshly aerated soil.  This combined

treatment aims to provide a near natural and healthy growing environment.

For further information please contact

Ken Leggett, Catton Park Trust, on: 01603 408823

or e-mail him at ken.leggett@btinternet.com

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