Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, has been buzzing with activity as local community groups join in to plant as many trees as possible in the first year of the ‘Silk Wood Community Planting Project’.
Thanks to generous funding and support from The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and other benefactors, over 600 people have taken part in the project.
From November 2023 to March 2024, these dedicated volunteers, comprising schoolchildren, college students, university scholars, youth groups, and passionate locals, have collectively planted a staggering 3,300 trees across 32 planting sessions.
This exciting tree planting and natural regeneration project is creating a new community woodland at Westonbirt, overcoming the impact of tree felling in 2021 due to Chalara ash dieback – a fungal disease that kills ash trees – and helping restore an area of ancient semi-natural woodland within the arboretum.
Commenting on the project’s progress so far, Oscar Adams, Project Manager at Westonbirt, whose role has been funded by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, said: “We’re delighted that so many trees have been planted in our first planting season of this big three-year project! Visitors are also telling us that they’re excited to see the new community woodland taking place. We thank everybody who helped us with the planting so far.
“The work doesn’t stop here. We’re inviting community groups back again throughout the year to help us care for the young trees they helped us plant. We’re also looking forward to the next planting season that will begin this November.
“Involving so many young people in the project is giving us the chance to inspire and excite them about trees, woodland management, and heritage conservation – securing the future for Westonbirt Arboretum. We hope they’ll frequently return to see how their trees grow!”
The project’s aim is to plant at least 9,000 trees in total within the Silk Wood area of the arboretum, and local community groups will be involved in every step of the woodland regeneration. Over the summer months, caring for the newly planted trees is the next focus for everyone involved.
For more details about the Silk Wood Community Planting Project, see also https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/community-planting-project
