A WOMAN from Bude has planted two apple trees at Atlantic Rest Natural Burial site in Morwenstow for the Woodland Trust.

Gay Truswell did not manage to plant a tree during the Woodland Trust’s plant-a-tree day in November last year, but instead she had an idea with which she could still contribute — though at a later date.

“I live in Bude, and will shortly turn 70,” Gay said. “I have made sure all my affairs are in order, including buying a plot of land for my eventual grave at Atlantic Rest Natural Burial site, Morwenstow.

“The site is in a beautiful spot at the top of a coombe rolling gently down towards the sea. Sheep-grazed fields surround an avalanche of woodland in the cleft of the coombe, a haven for birds and wildlife.”

For those who choose to be buried at this natural burial site, they agree to only plant wildflowers and trees indigenous to the area, such as Cornish elm, Guelder rose, crab apple, Rowan and wild cherry. Gay has chosen a Rowan tree to be placed on her final resting spot.

She continued: “Though I missed my opportunity last year, I still wanted to plant a tree specifically for the Woodland Trust, so contacted Sheridon Rosser, who along with her husband Tom, owns and manages the burial ground. She told me she was expecting a consignment of fruit trees at the beginning of 2020. We agreed that I would purchase two of the trees for her and help her plant them in a suitable location.”

On February 4, Sheridon picked Gay up and brought her to Atlantic Rest. Gay said: “It felt a little strange walking past my grave site-to-be — I thought for a minute I might have seen a ghost!

“Two holes had already been prepared at the edge of the woodland near two bee hives. The soil was moist and just right for receiving the saplings. We mulched them in and protected them with old grass and dry hay, onto which we placed broken boughs to keep everything in place from the Cornish south-westerlies.

“Both trees are apples — Tom Putt, originating in Devon, often used as a cider or cooking apple; and Cornish Aromatic, easy to grow and resistant to the main apple diseases, firm of flesh with a hint of pineapple.”

She added: “I am sure they will thrive there, with the help of the bees and the careful attention of Sheridon and Tom — and I know they’ll outlast me a good few years. A planting better late than never!”