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Primary school pupils will nurture newly planted trees
06/12/2023
The trees are part of a 60-tree orchard being created by Banbury Town Council
Pupils at St Leonard’s primary school have become volunteer tree wardens as part of an exciting project that will see a community orchard provide free fruit for local residents.
The children have planted six trees near their school and will look after them for two years.
With help from the town’s park rangers and the Banbury Trees group, the pupils got their project underway by planting two pear trees, one apple, one plum, one cherry, and a crab apple. The crab apple will help pollinate surrounding apple trees and provide food for wildlife. Three of the trees are endangered species heritage varieties.
The school’s trees are part of a 60-tree orchard being created by Banbury Town Council as its contribution to a nationwide initiative that commemorates the coronation of King Charles III. More than a million trees have so far been planted countrywide.
Banbury’s orchard will also boost local tree cover, improve the environment and increase biodiversity to help wildlife.
The trees include varieties of apple, pear and other seasonal fruits.
Other volunteers are planting and looking after more trees at various locations around town – and there are still a few opportunities for people to become involved in the project.
The council wants to hear from residents who want to join in.
Martin Phillips, chairman of the council’s general services committee, said: “This is a wonderful project that townspeople are becoming part of and single people, families, clubs, schools, older people’s associations, etc can all be wardens.”
Cllr Phillips added: “The trees are all on open land and in due course, residents will be able to help themselves to free fruit.”
He said: “Everything the wardens need will be provided – it’s just tender loving care that is required.”
“Tree wardens will look after their trees through the first and second years of growth with help and guidance from the park rangers.
“Trees will need watering in dry weather and other duties will include checking their health, weeding around the bases, inspecting stakes and ties, and topping up mulch layers in winter. Any problems can be reported to the park rangers.”
People interested in learning more should contact Banbury Town Council – phone 01295 250340, email info@banbury.gov.uk or call in at the town hall.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam