Emsworth children plant trees at their school
Local Tree Wardens in Emsworth assisted school children from Emsworth Primary School to plant 30 trees in their school grounds in December 2009, as a part of the National Tree Week. The trees, a mixture of Silver Birch, Wild Cherry and Rowan, were supplied for free by the Woodland Trust Tree For All scheme. The Tree Wardens prepared the ground in advance of the children planting the trees. On the day of planting, groups of children were brought out to plant the trees at the prepared site in the school grounds. John Green a Havant Borough Tree Warden demonstrated how the trees should be planted and later planted an Elm and 2 Oaks in the school grounds.
Posted: February 6, 2010
Last updated: February 6, 2010
Emsworth Tree Planting Project
Emsworth Tree Wardens have initiated three Tree Planting projects to help maintain and enhance the stock of trees in Emsworth for future generations. This project follows on from a very successful year (2008) during which we encouraged residents and visitors to appreciate trees in their immediate environment.
We are very fortunate in Emsworth that many of our roads are lined with large mature trees, most of which are in private gardens, with others in verges, pavements and recreation grounds. Several of these roads, such as Horndean Road, are designated ‘Roads with Special Character’ in the Local Plan because of these trees.
Recreation Grounds and Parks
Our first planting project is to enhance the tree-lined nature of Horndean Road by planting trees on the eastern edge of the recreation ground. There are only a few large trees between the two Horse Chestnuts near the Memorial Garden and the northern end of the recreation ground. Ideally, at least 6 new trees are needed.
We have made a start by planting two container grown standard Oak trees along the western edge of the new cycle/footpath in the Horndean Road recreation ground, just north of an existing Oak tree. These two trees Many thanks to the Emsworth Residents Association for generously providing the funding for these two Oak trees which were planted on Thursday 29 January by HBC. (See photo)
We will also be planting an Oak tree in Hollybank Park (off Southleigh Road) to provide shade to the children’s playground and to complete the line of Oak trees running north/south along an old field boundary. The cost of planting this tree has been paid for by the Emsworth Tree Wardens, who will be planting the tree on Thursday 29 January, with help from Andrew Skeet, arborist at HBC.
Hedgerow restoration
Our second project is to start to restore the mainly Hawthorn hedge along the eastern edge of the Horndean Road recreation ground, which is in a very poor condition with a large number of gaps. To begin with, we will clear dead wood and prepare the ground to plant a large number of Hawthorn whips in the gaps. Andrew Skeet (arborist at HBC, responsible for trees on HBC land) has agreed this project. He suggests that we plant root-trainer cell grown plants which would get off to a better start. We have applied for a Woodland Trust ’Trees for All’ grant of £100 to pay towards this.
Street trees
Thousands of street trees are being felled by local authorities all over the country, usually on health and safety grounds. The trees that have been felled are frequently not replanted because of declining budgets. So the maxim of planting two trees for every tree felled to maintain the tree stock does not apply. This inspired our third and most challenging project, planting street trees.
Opportunities for planting trees in verges along roads are limited because of a number of restrictions, which include overhead telephone cables, underground TV/phone cables, gas, electricity and water pipes, street lighting, width of verge and buried road surfaces. ‘Street trees’ are the responsibility of the Highways Department of Hampshire County Council.
Bearing the above restrictions in mind, Emsworth Tree Wardens have put forward a number of possible tree planting sites to HCC Highways. These sites are currently being checked by HCC to make sure they are suitable. We will then make a final selection and ask the residents of the selected roads for their comments and help in looking after the trees once planted.
In the meantime, we have applied for a grant of just under £2,000 from the County Councillor Devolved Budget scheme. This will provide funds for an accredited contractor to plant about 12-15 street trees, depending on the type of tree. County councillor David Gillett supports this application and we hope to hear whether we have been awarded the grant by the time you read this.
Suggestions for planting trees
Last but by no means least – if you have any suggestions for planting a tree or trees in Emsworth or would like to make a donation contact Frances Jannaway.
Posted: January 27, 2009
Last updated: January 27, 2009
Tree Trails in development
Healthy Oak, Jubilee Park, Waterlooville
Tree Wardens in Waterlooville and Hayling Island are in the process of developing new Tree Trails following the success of Emsworth Tree Wardens. It is early days yet, but progress is being made and both teams have had initial meetings. In Waterlooville some locations being considered for the route include Jubilee Park, Park Wood and Queens Enclosure.
Posted: October 5, 2008
Last updated: October 8, 2008