Nearly the end of the tree-planting season

After a quiet February, with only a quick meeting with Jon Stokes of the Tree Council on February 1 to inspect Hilsea fruiting hedge and plan some events for the coming year, March has been busy so far, reflecting the end of the tree planting season.
The mayor of Portsmouth planted the first tree at Cornwallis Crescent Community OrchardThe mayor of Portsmouth planted the first tree at Cornwallis Crescent Community Orchard
The mayor of Portsmouth planted the first tree at Cornwallis Crescent Community Orchard

Fernhurst Junior School – The fruit tree/hedge planting on Wednesday, March 9 at Fernhurst Junior School went very well and the rain held off too.

180 excited children planted about 350 plants, at least two each, around the perimeter of their green space.

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This planting is part of the Tree Council’s initiative Wild Hedges for Urban Edges.

Portsmouth’s schoolchildren are set to benefit by having access to free, healthy, seasonal food on their 
doorsteps from the planting of natural ‘wild’ urban hedges.

The hedge at Fernhurst

School is the first to be planted as part of the project. It is really encouraging to see children being involved in their environment and providing a living resource for the future.

Cornwallis Crescent Community Orchard 
– Rosemary Perrett , community gardener, and Trish Bell led a team of volunteers and tree wardens on Saturday, March 12, planting 16 fruit trees in Portsmouth’s newest community orchard.

Apples and pear trees were planted and a couple of figs.

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The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Frank Jonas was pleased to plant the first tree, a Beauty of Hampshire apple cultivar.

Hilsea Fruiting Hedge –

On Tuesday, March 15 we planted five more fruit trees and many wild plum whips to bulk up the existing fruiting hedge planted in 2010 as part of the Tree Council’s Hedgerow Harvest campaign.

We had another lovely sunny morning so made good progress and got it all done by 11:30am.

Grateful thanks go to Tree Warden stalwarts Rose, Nita, Nadya, and Nadya’s husband Mark.

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Special thanks to Pete Wallbrook from Havant Tree Wardens and to Theo and Lottie, students from Volunteering in Portsmouth (VIP) Environmental, for engaging with the tree growing community.

Membership – If you would like to get involved and help celebrate and guard your community’s trees by becoming a tree warden, please contact me on (023) 9266 7962.

For more information about what we do, please visit our website at portsmouthtree.org.uk or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/portsmouthtree.

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