Tree planting at The Utilita Bowl in Hampshire
In February and March 2024, Sherlock’s Tree and Countryside Services took on a planting contract at the prestigious Utilita Bowl—home to Hampshire Cricket and a beautifully landscaped golf course. Our task? To help shape two brand-new golf holes with carefully planned tree and shrub planting that enhances play, supports biodiversity, and weathers the test of time.
And speaking of weather… it didn’t stop raining. Not once.
Planting Through the Deluge
Over several weeks, our team battled relentless downpours to deliver precision planting across the new fairways and greens. The site was saturated, the ground heavy, and the kit muddy—but the planting went in with care and purpose. We installed a mix of native and ornamental species designed to:
• Frame the new golf holes with visual interest and seasonal colour
• Provide windbreaks and habitat corridors for local wildlife
• Support long-term ecological resilience in a high-footfall landscape
From young trees in protective tubes to strategic shrub clusters, every plant was placed with ecological intent and aesthetic flair
Grit, Gloves, and Good Humour
Without the luxury of our new 4WD tipper truck, we relied on good old-fashioned graft, wheelbarrows, and teamwork. Our experience in ecological contracting meant we could adapt planting methods to suit the shifting ground conditions, even as the rain turned pathways into puddles.
We documented every step—from layout tweaks to root protection strategies—ensuring full transparency for the client and a clear record for future maintenance.
A Sporting Landscape with Ecological Heart
The Utilita Bowl isn’t just a sports venue—it’s a living landscape. Our planting work supports its evolution into a multifunctional space where sport, nature, and community coexist. The site is home to a variety of wildlife, including reptiles and bats, and we’re proud to have contributed to its ecological infrastructure. A few years ago, we even converted an old shed into a dedicated bat house—providing safe roosting space and supporting local bat populations as part of the venue’s biodiversity strategy.
Every tree and shrub we planted this season adds to that vision: enhancing habitat, improving connectivity, and helping the landscape thrive both above and below ground.
We’re proud to have contributed to this transformation, even if we were soaked to the bone doing it.
Absolutely—here’s a paragraph you can slot in near the end of your blog post, just before or after the “Visual Highlights” section:
Visual Highlights
Scroll through the gallery below to see the project in action: planting in progress, freshly installed trees, and the dramatic skies that followed us throughout. It’s a snapshot of ecological care under pressure—and proof that even the wettest days can grow something brilliant.
Tree Planting Season Is Here
As we head into the heart of tree planting season, Sherlock’s Tree and Countryside Services is ready to help you make the most of it. Whether you're planning new landscaping, enhancing biodiversity, or restoring habitat, now is the perfect time to get trees in the ground. We’re available for planting work across Devon and beyond—domestic, commercial, or council sites welcome. Get in touch to discuss your project, request a quote, or book us in while the season’s on your side.
📞 07785 958188
📧 sherlockcservices@gmail.com