New orchard planted at MSSL

The green grounds of MSSL got a little bit greener with the planting of a new orchard supported by Surrey County Council. The planting of the orchard, located to the south of the MSSL buildings on an area known as Dekens Field, was organised by the MSSL Green Impact team and led by Dr Alice Breeveld.

Before the big day, volunteers marked out the positions and cleared the long grass ready for the arrival of the young trees. On the dya, a damp drizzily morning gave way to an overcast but dry day.  Volunteers came from across the lab, with scientists, engineers and support staff to help with planting twenty fruit trees and three oak trees. The ground was cleared to 2’ diameter before digging the hole for the roots. Two posts were driven into the ground.  The hole was watered before the tree was placed and covered with soil.  Deer protection fencing was wrapped around the two posts and the trees were watered again.

The trees will be watered daily with from next April to September, a lunchtime task for the willing volunteers. We look forward to the new trees bearing "home-grown" fruit at MSSL.