TOP THINGS TO DO WITH CONKERS - PLANT A CONKER
PLANT A CONKER
It has recently been reported in the news that Conker Trees (Horse Chestnut Trees) are under threat of extinction. This has been caused by moths - their larvae burrow into the leaves which turn them brown and therefore reduce the amount of food the tree can absorb through photosynthesis. A disease called bleeding canker has also played its part and has killed off many trees. This is a very alarming prospect - trees are vital to sustaining our planet and the conker trees are an important source of shelter and food for many species of animals. Let's do our bit and keep these trees going! To successfully grow a horse chestnut tree: 1. Place your conkers in some water. Some will remain floating (they have dried out) - you can plant the ones that sink. Plant the conkers about 2cm deep in in a pot of soil / compost and place them in a sheltered spot outside. 2. Keep them watered and wait for them to germinate. This should happen in the spring. They can be planted when they have reached around a foot in height, which would probably be approaching autumn. (Do bear in mind when planting, they will grow rather tall - they can reach up to 40m and live for 300 years!) You can see our full list here: Top Things To Do With Conkers
It has recently been reported in the news that Conker Trees (Horse Chestnut Trees) are under threat of extinction. This has been caused by moths - their larvae burrow into the leaves which turn them brown and therefore reduce the amount of food the tree can absorb through photosynthesis. A disease called bleeding canker has also played its part and has killed off many trees. This is a very alarming prospect - trees are vital to sustaining our planet and the conker trees are an important source of shelter and food for many species of animals. Let's do our bit and keep these trees going! To successfully grow a horse chestnut tree: 1. Place your conkers in some water. Some will remain floating (they have dried out) - you can plant the ones that sink. Plant the conkers about 2cm deep in in a pot of soil / compost and place them in a sheltered spot outside. 2. Keep them watered and wait for them to germinate. This should happen in the spring. They can be planted when they have reached around a foot in height, which would probably be approaching autumn. (Do bear in mind when planting, they will grow rather tall - they can reach up to 40m and live for 300 years!) You can see our full list here: Top Things To Do With Conkers