Volunteers from the Isle of Wight Green Gym have been working on the latest phase of the Isle of Wight Council’s project to plant new, native trees in public spaces, and care for the existing trees and woodlands.
Visitors to Lake Cemetery will be able to enjoy more trees in future, thanks to the enthusiastic team.
Isle of Wight Green Gym have been working with Isle of Wight Council tree audit officer Tony Gillingham over this winter, enhancing the tree cover in several public open spaces.
The team have already been busy at Shanklin Cemetery and Appley Park, and this month the project moved on to a boundary hedge at Lake Cemetery which Tony had identified as needing more planting to ensure it remained valuable for people and wildlife in the future.
Trees from a nursery area at Appley Park in Ryde were transplanted to Lake: the plants are all native species including field maple, birch, oak, and wild cherry.
Tony Gillingham explains:
“Part of my job is to ensure the Isle of Wight Council’s tree stock in public areas is meeting the needs of local communities.
“So working with volunteers is a key part of this project – it’s important that the trees we plant today are cared for by people in the future.
Article continues below this advertisement “I have enjoyed working with IW Green Gym, not only are they amazingly hard workers, but they come with a lot of expertise too – these folk know their trees!”
Councillor Jonathan Bacon adds:
“Our Climate and Environment Strategy sets out our ambitions for reducing and offsetting carbon emissions.
“Planting trees on council land is a visible indication of the actions we are taking, and a tangible sign of our commitment to our status as a UNESCO Biosphere
“Looking after the many trees and woodlands that the council already owns is another key part of this work – mature trees can absorb far more carbon than tiny saplings.
“I’d like to say thanks to the volunteers of the Isle of Wight Green Gym for their help this winter, and to many others around the Island who have been planting new trees and caring for old trees this season.”
planting trees is all well and good but who is going to water them a lot of the trees planted last year are dead from lack of water
Well done Tony and Green Gym for your efforts. This type of community involvement is admirable and should be applauded. I know how hard you have worked to provide spectacular trees for future generations to enjoy.
I am sure a watering programme is part of the scheme and would encourage all Islanders to start thinking about PLANTING A TREE IN 2023.