Councillor Cheryl Briggs, the Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, was among those planting trees in Rye Farm Meadow, near Abingdon Lock.
Local residents came along to plant the 420 trees, and that included young families and children. The Woodland Trust donated all the trees, the tree guards were recycled from Besselsleigh Woods, and Oxford Wood Recycling and CAG Oxfordshire funded tree stakes. The event was co-ordinated by the Abingdon Carbon Cutters and Abingdon Rotary. Permission was given by VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District Council) on their land.
I’m curious…in a natural woodland setting trees are rarely growing so close together. What is the reasoning behind such high density planting in these instances?
Not a criticism, a genuine curiosity…
Daniel, we were actually planting at 2-metre distance which is not dense for plants such as hawthorn and hazel, and allows for natural wastage. In 5 or 10 years time we may need to thin them out if they all survive! The other species are crab apple, downy birch and goat willow, all species that will thrive in wet places and help to absorb excess water when it floods.
Abingdon Rotary’s trees are actually the ones round the edge of the meadow and were planted in 2018. They came along yesterday to give support, and will co-operate with Carbon Cutters to manage all the trees.
Thanks Sally.