Right tree is something to be treasured

The right tree in the right place could be something to be treasured for posterity. You could choose a smallish ornamental, perhaps an Amelanchier Obelisk or Ballerina or a crab apple or even a more productive fruit tree.

Damsons are my favourite at the moment. If you have a larger garden one of our natives, oak, chestnut, beech or a delicate white stemmed Himalayan birch could fill the bill.

St James’ Hospital Trees – Have you ever had a walk through St James’ Hospital grounds? There is a really wonderful collection of mature trees which are admirable in any season. It would be such a tragedy to lose any more of this historic urban parkland to housing which it seems there is a danger of happening. Our city’s trees should be celebrated and valued for their amenity value and the benefits, economic and aesthetic, that they provide.

Trees play a large part in improving the quality of the air and also contribute to the wellbeing of residents who enjoy the peace and tranquility of the hospital grounds.

Tree Planting at Wicor Primary School, Portchester – The tree planting day on January 15 went very well. All the year groups took part and with the help of tree wardens and other volunteers, about 300 trees/whips were planted with great enthusiasm! A nuttery was created with hazel, cob and filbert varieties, a grove of different varieties of elder (which surprisingly are members of the honeysuckle family), the flowers of which will make a delicious cordial, a hedge of step over apples and pears so that year R children will be able to pick the low growing fruit.

Edible hedging plants were planted to fill in the gaps in the already established edible hedge and some hawthorn, blackthorn and rosa rugosa used to enclose an outdoor classroom in which pride of place is taken by a wizard sculpture made from a sadly deceased Monterey Cypress.

A few specimen trees were also planted, including apple, oak and willow. All in all a really successful day. A similar event is being planned for March 9 at Fernhurst School in Fratton.

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 or via portsmouthtree.hampshire.org.uk or twitter.com/portsmouthtree.