Low Carbon Oxford North, Oxford Direct Services and Oxford City Council are supporting National Tree Week by planting trees at Cutteslowe Community Woodland on 24 November from 10.30am to 12 noon.
Volunteers will plant trees donated by the Woodland Trust under the close supervision of experts from Oxford Direct Services who will also be supplying the tools.
Cllr Councillor Tom Hayes, Board Member for Safer, Greener, Environment, said: "Oxford is a city of trees, whether they are in the parks, lining the streets, or in residents' gardens. Oxford Direct Services, on behalf of Oxford City Council, is responsible for maintaining many of them.
"We work with and support friends of parks groups, such as Lye Valley, Raleigh Park, Trap Grounds, Millham Ford and a wide range of community groups, all of whom want to make a positive impact on Oxford's environment.
“So, it’s no wonder that we are looking forward to working with LCON on this particular tree planting that will help replacing some of the trees we've lost to Ash Dieback over the last few years in the woodland.”
Oxford Direct Services has been proactive in trying to mitigate the loss of Ash trees in Cutteslowe Park which will now allow LCON room to plant a mix of native trees, such as Birch, Field Maple and Cherry to maintain the woodland cover for future generations. The trees will be maintained for up to five years to help them establish. This will involve controlling any competing grass to prevent the young trees being overrun.
Julian Cooper, Oxford Direct Services' Landscape and Countryside Supervisor, said: "We plant over 200 trees yearly across Oxford and work with a wide range of community groups, all of whom want to make a positive impact on Oxford’s environment. This is our first time working with LCON and we hope this instance will help us build a thriving relationship that sees us all playing a role in maintaining and enhancing the community woodland.
LCON Chair Alison Hill said: "Tree planting is one of the most satisfying things anyone can do to help our environment. It makes a real and lasting impact. Some of the trees we planted seven years ago are now fifteen feet high or more. Just last week the Government’s Committee on Climate Change talked about the need for the rate of tree planting to double by 2020. This matters locally and globally’.
National Tree Week runs from 24 November to 2 December 2018. It is organised by the Tree Council annually to celebrate the tree planting season. For more information on National Tree Week visit the Tree Council website.
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