Essex County Council has made a pledge to plant an extra 250,000 trees throughout 2008/09 to enhance ecology and improve the quality of life for the people of Essex.
To help Essex achieve its aim it has recruited the help of the Woodland Trust and set aside 69,000 young native trees, enough for every school in Essex to take part.
The tree pledge also includes the planting of shrubs and hedgerows and is a scheme that voluntary and community groups, schools and parish councils and Essex farmers and landowners can get involved with.
The trees for schools are free from the Woodland Trust and supplied in packs of 30 saplings, all native British species suitable for either hedges or copses. Schools can take part by registering with the Woodland Trust here, and choosing either a hedgerow pack with six each of Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Dog Rose and Dogwood, or a copse pack with ten each of Birch, Rowan and Cherry.
The packs will be delivered after the end of November and can be planted in school grounds or at one of the tree-planting events that are being organised throughout the County.
Planting new trees across the county will have multiple benefits for residents: increased protected green spaces, the creation of major new community woodlands, not to mention the tree’s role in providing a renewable energy source as well as offering flood protection and wildlife habitat.
Where will the trees be planted?
All over Essex. We’re working in partnership with many tree and countryside organisations to organise mass planting at sites like Elmstead Market and throughout some of the districts. We will be planting trees at Country Parks and are supporting the resurgence of hedgerows. We also have other sites at Bobbingworth, Chelmsford (various sites), Harlow, Abberton Reservoir, Hyde Hall, Pitsea landfill site, Colchester greenways and Rochford. More sites will be identified over the coming months.
What species of trees will be planted?
All native species which include ash, oak, hazel, birch etc and hedging which includes blackthorn and hawthorn.
Can I get involved?
Yes. We’re always looking for volunteers to help plant trees. You can organise a tree planting day or join in with our partners’ volunteering schemes.
Community and voluntary groups can contact Essex Community Foundation on 01245 356017 or visit their website
Parish councils can contact The Rural Community Council for Essex on
0844 477 3938 or visit their website.
Landscape Conservation Programme
The Landscape Conservation Programme is a grant scheme that gives farmers an opportunity to support the planting of trees and hedgerows to produce a fine sustainable landscape.
The second half of the twentieth century saw a reduction in the tree cover of Essex and a decline in the quality of remaining features such as ponds, woodlands and hedges.
We are working with the NFU (National Farmers’ Union), FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) and the CLA (Country Landowners Association) to distribute information to Essex Farmers and landowners. Schemes eligible for support are:
• Tree, shrub and hedge planting in the countryside
• Tree surgery to important storm damaged trees
• Restoration of important hedgerows in the countryside (a one off grant to bring the hedgerow back into management)
• Restoration of farm ponds
• Restoration of woodland
• Restoration of historic landscape features
• Habitat creation that enhances the biodiversity of Essex
Getting involved
We want you to get involved and help plant some trees. We’ve set up some days at different venues across Essex so that you can get digging – just bring your wellies and something waterproof to wear.
Venues include Theydon Bois, Fordham near Colchester and Havering. Anyone can join in although we do ask that you fill in a short medical form and you are advised to have an up to date tetanus inoculation.
Why not get a group of friends together or have a team day out?
We are also running seed collection days. Simply collect your seeds, plant them, watch them grow and return to one of our Country Parks in two years when they’ve become saplings. For a free plant pot please ask at one of our Country Parks
This is a great autumn activity for the kids and we are running seed collection days with local schoolchildren and the National Trust during September and October.
For more details on events, go to the Tree For All events pages here
