Trees: LATEST NEWS

Harpenden Town Council continues to undertake an ambitious programme of tree planting across our open spaces including trees of varying sizes, species and numbers planted across the Town, each with the aim of providing aesthetic interest, shade, screening, habitat for wildlife and improving biodiversity.

Since October 2021 alone we have planted over 5000 tree saplings and, while much of the planting was carried out by our dedicated Green Spaces Development Officers, we also welcomed countless volunteers who helped to achieve these impressive numbers. We are grateful to the many groups including Brownies, Scouts, local primary and senior schools, charities and individuals who have volunteered their time – thank you, you have made an incredible difference to Harpenden.

A small snap shot of recent tree planting includes:

• 600 saplings were planted on Marquis Lane Meadow by members of Harpenden's Rotary Club and Sir John Lawes School.
• Six mature trees were planted around Marquis Lane Play Area to provide shade for all users.
• Volunteers on one of our Project Days planted 75 junipers at Harpenden Common Golf Club as part of a wider improvement to this part of the Common.
• A group of Brownies spent an afternoon at Marquis Lane Meadow planting 300 saplings in 90 minutes.
• 16 members of the Crabtree Schools’ Eco Council and their Teachers assisted Green Spaces Development Officers by planting approximately 125 trees in Rothamsted.
• Two additional ornamental crab apple trees, two rowan trees and one flowering cherry were planted by our Green Spaces Officers in Lydekker Park.
  St Nicholas Primary School spent a morning planting 100 native trees in Rothamsted.
  90 students from Sir John Lawes School showed their support for National Tree Week by assisting us in planting 950 trees at Porters Hill Park in Batford.
• 18 volunteers helped to plant new hazels and remove holly in Bamville Wood on East Common. The cut trees were then weaved between stakes to create a dead hedge, providing shelter for wildlife.
• Harpenden Lions planted 200 sapling trees and junipers in Rothamsted Park.
• Project day volunteers planted approximately 1000 native trees over a series of dates from Autumn 2021 to Spring 2022 in Rothamsted’s woodland area.
• Three European Larches and 12 Scots Pines have been planted around Southdown Ponds as part of our sucession planting scheme.

If you’d like to find out more becoming a volunteer please contact Alex Melson, Green Spaces Development Officer, by emailing alexander.melson@harpenden.gov.uk or call him on 01582 463661.