THE Wild about Trees team at Frome Town Council, along with several of Frome’s community groups, have planted a staggering number of trees and hedgerows in the past three months, well over 2,500! The planting has taken place during autumn, the optimum tree planting season.
Wild about Trees officer, Helen Viner said, “Whatever the weather, we’ve been out planting with so many wonderful groups and it’s truly been brilliant to be able to support the tree planting efforts and the groups’ projects. The Town Rangers and I want to say a great big thank you to everyone involved.”
The planting season started back in October with the blossom circle up at the Old Showfield. This was followed by Frome’s first Tiny Forest at Egford Park in November, where 600 tiny trees were planted, thanks to funding from Earthwatch.
The weather may have been challenging, but Storm Arwen didn’t put off the hardiest of volunteers, with over 600 trees planted as part of the Frome’s Missing Links project at the bottom of Whatcombe Fields.
And December has so far seen the Year 10 Eco group from Frome College and the Rainbows, Girl Guides and Brownies, with their families, planting a hedgerow surrounding the play area at the Old Showfield.
The Packsaddle and Chapmans Close community groups have also been planting local hedgerows in their green spaces.
Planting also took place by Selwood Academy, following up on their summer project, which they ran during the Olympics, planting Japanese Kazan trees around the town; in Victoria Park, the hospital and at Selwood School, leaving a legacy for the whole town to enjoy.
The planting isn’t over yet, the Friends of Egford Park and the Critchill Rangers will be planting a hedgerow at the front of the Egford Park which, once grown, will provide a natural alternative to the fencing currently in place.
Everyone is welcome to come and help plant, the team will be there from 10am on Thursday 16th December, with spades at the ready.
Cllr Rich Ackroyd said, “The support and the planting this autumn has been truly phenomenal. Not only are the trees and hedgerows helping towards reducing our carbon footprint and our target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, but it’s allowed so many of us to get out in the fresh air and plant something brilliant for our town.”
The Wild about Trees team are already planning some exciting projects for 2022, with further heritage Selwood Oaks, orchards and a group planting in February half term.
Keep an eye out on the Frome Town Council’s Wild about Trees page for further details: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wild-about-trees
