We’re bringing new trees to the East Marsh! We’ve teamed up with the amazing people at Create Streets to plant 30 young trees in Grant Thorold Park – and we need your help!
We’re looking for volunteers to come along to our ‘Tree Planting in the Park’ day and help transform our local green space for years to come. Taking place on Thursday 9th February, we’re bringing a range of tree types to the park, including elms, tulip trees, sweetgums, red maples and sweet chestnuts. The new trees are 7 or 8 years old and around 4 to 5 metres tall, making them ready to plant and thrive.
Throughout the morning pupils from local schools will be planting the first of the new trees, with the afternoon opening up tree planting to everyone from the community. With talks from special guests, it’s going to be a great way for the next generation to learn about the importance of nature and the impact trees have on our urban environment.
If you’ve never done anything like this before, don’t worry – everyone who comes down on the day will be given a tree planting demo and shown exactly what to do. The process involves carefully placing trees in the ground, installing stakes and strimmer guards, and tidying up the soil.
On the day, we’ll also be firming up plans to water and look after the trees on a long term basis, as well as looking at other exciting plans for greening up the East Marsh. Refreshments, hot drinks and toilet facilities will be available in the nearby St John, St Stephen & Shalom church.
We also want to recognise the emotional significance trees have in our lives. Often living for many, many years, trees are there at specific milestones in our lives, and can be used to commemorate the lives of loved ones no longer with us. If you have a tree that’s played an important part in your life, we’d love to hear your story!
If you have a tree tale to tell or would be interested in coming along to the tree planting day next month – either as a volunteer to help with the school children in the morning, or to do tree planting in the afternoon – send us an email at carolyn@eastmarshunited.org or pop in to see us at Freeman Street Market Courtyard area on a Tuesday between 1pm and 3pm.
