Trees to boost Norwich's green spaces
2,000 are being planted at West Earlham Woods
2,000 new trees are being planted at West Earlham Woods to boost biodiversity.
Hawthorn, hazel and plum saplings are among those being planted in an area that was cleared earlier in the year, where large sycamores were becoming unsafe.
Norwich City Council has purchased the trees using Section 106 funding, with the scheme being managed by the Norwich Fringe Project.
Norwich City Council councillor Matthew Packer, cabinet member for parks and open spaces said:
“Maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity of our green spaces in Norwich is key to protecting our environment, and planting new trees is a nature-based solution to climate change and boosting wellbeing.
“By introducing these tree species, we can manage their growth and the age structure of the woodland, which in turn will create new habitats, nectar and food sources, as well as nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.
“This work is in addition to the nine-hundred larger tree species planted in March this year in another area of the woodland.
“A special thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work to protect and enhance this green space in our city.”
Mark Webster, Project Officer at The Conservation Volunteers, said:
“We have a wide range of volunteers on our Norwich Environmental Action Team, and I think they’ve all been looking forward to working on this project for a long time.
“We run conservation activities at least three times a week in Norwich, and many of these are helping to look after green spaces owned by Norwich City Council, but tree planting is always one of our favourites.”
Noel Debbage from the Friends of West Earlham Woods, said:
“The work carried out earlier this year has increased light onto the woodland floor, and we’re hoping for even better flowering this spring, including the carpet of beautiful bluebells. We’ve already seen an increase in wild garlic which is great.
“The smaller woodland edge trees being planted will make the area even more attractive - not just to us but to all the insects that like flowers, and all the birds that like insects!
“It’s more important than ever that we preserve and enhance our green heritage across the city.”
The trees are being planted in the Bunkers Hill woodland area, which is part of West Earlham Woods. Pathway maintenance work is also being carried out over the next few months to improve the accessibility of the area.