Neighbourhood tree planting comes to fruition

Children plant a tree in Norden

A neighbourhood tree planting project in Norden has now been completed after 12 months of planning.

Fifteen tree whips from the Woodland Trust – five rowan, five hazel and five crab apple – have now been planted on the green at the junction of Seven Acres Lane and Keepers Drive.

Upon receipt of the tree whips, and the completion of safety checks, local residents were invited to plant them over two afternoons.

Tree whips are unbranched young tree seedlings that have been grown for planting. They are usually between 50cm and 1m in height and are between two and three years old.

Abiding by Covid-19 guidelines, 14 households including children and grandchildren were notified, with each family allocated a time to plant.

The project began after local residents Debby and Alec Grindrod approached Christine McHugh, secretary and committee member of Rochdale in Bloom, with the idea of planting replacement trees in place of the ones lost over the years.

Replacing the trees went ahead as a joint Neighbourhood and Rochdale in Bloom initiative after local residents were consulted and permission obtained from the council’s Environmental Management Services.

Christine said: “It was an enjoyable project even though it was carried out under guidelines. It brought the community together especially involving the children from the neighbourhood.

“We look at it as being a project of fun, positivity and hope for the future, with the whips growing into trees, alongside the growth of the children who planted them.

“Thanks must be given to The Woodland Trust, RBC Environmental Management Services and Special Branch Tree Surgeons for the wood chippings.”