The Stumpery
The Denehurst stumpery was created between September 2017 and June 2018, located directly opposite Denehurst House it provides a horticultural oddity for members of the public to enjoy as they walk around the formal areas of the old Turner Family Estate. The stumpery is a Victorian style feature quite similar to a rockery but made from parts of a dead tree instead. This can take the form of whole stumps, logs, driftwood, pieces of bark or even worked timber such as railway sleepers; the tree stumps have been arranged upside-down and on their sides to show off their impressive root structure.
With the help of Rochdale Councils Environmental Management Department the numerous stumps and logs were collected over many months and transported on site. The stumps were then moved in place and arranged with machinery such as a mini digger and a motorised dumper, numerous logs have been arranged to the rear of the stumpery forming a large habitat pile; rocks were also included in the design to further complement the natural look of the stumpery. A gravel path was created in April running through the stumpery enabling people to walk around the feature safely and view the stumps, logs and plants on show.
A maintenance path meanders through the beds, filled with flint chippings it adds a very decorative look creating a very vibrant setting. Sandstone sourced from Cowm Quarry in Whitworth forms the edging around each bed, totalling 180m in length; the rough edged stone is very much in keeping with the informal feature. Over 45 tons of top soil was imported to raise the levels around the feature stumps and ensure the plants were given the right environment to grow in. To keep weeds at bay and ensure the beds hold and retain their moisture in hot weather, the addition of bark chip will keep the plants looking green all summer through and will furthermore help insulate the soil during very cold weather.
In October 2017 students from Redwood Secondary Special School were invited to come along to this new feature and plant a variety of woodland plants around the first part of stumpery. The children planted Ferns, Foxgloves, Hostas, Hellebore, Primrose, Epimedium and Native English Bluebells, which are ideal in the shaded environment in which the stumperies are created. Mosses and Lichens will also be encouraged to grow around the stumps and rocks to create a truly unique look.
The second part of the stumpery was planted by our weekly volunteers group in June; the additional plants include an even wider variety of unique flora such as Lungwort, Solomon's seal, Japanese anemone, Astilbe and Hart’s tongue fern.
The stumpery provides a perfect habitat for several types of wildlife and has been known to host small mammals, toads, stag beetles and numerous insects, very much like bug hotels.
For more images please click on this link - https://photos.app.goo.gl/4nJAUTdPafnYRLdI2