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Residents dig in with thousands of new trees planted in the Forest




Aston Archer (6) and Evalyn Stubbington (5) helped plant an elm at Ashley recreation ground (photo: Steve West)
Aston Archer (6) and Evalyn Stubbington (5) helped plant an elm at Ashley recreation ground (photo: Steve West)

NEW Forest residents are digging deep to help fight climate change by bringing more trees to their towns.

In New Milton the town council has launched a Plant a Tree Initiative in which it seeks to gain sponsorship to have more greenery in the area, with hopes of a mini orchard and more tree-lined streets.

In Ringwood, they are set to celebrate on Sunday as the 20,000th tree to be planted there this year is dug in by local children at Poulner Lakes.

Last Friday Evalyn Stubbington (5) and Aston Archer (6), from Ashley Infant School, were on hand to help Cllr Geoff Blunden, chair of the town council’s amenities committee, kick off New Milton’s efforts with an elm tree at Ashley recreation ground.

Cllr Blunden said: “This project gives the opportunity for residents, visitors and all to plant a tree on our open spaces for themselves or dedicated to others.

“We recognise that many residents do not have large gardens, or they live in rented accommodation or flats and are unable to plant trees on their own land.

The Riley Family planting at Poulner Lakes
The Riley Family planting at Poulner Lakes

“I’m so pleased the scheme has been greeted with so much enthusiasm with over 40 trees to be planted during the next few weeks. We are aiming for 100 new trees this winter.”

Ten areas of green space and various native species of trees have been identified for further planting to boost wildlife.

Tomorrow (Friday) town mayor Cllr Alvin Reid is due to dig in another tree, a hawthorn Paul’s Scarlet, at Ballard Lake in honour of the New Milton Twinning Association and to acknowledge its special relationship with the twin town of Canteleu in France.

A recent online amenities committee meeting heard there had been 23 enquiries during the scheme’s first month, with nine individuals having so far paid for a tree to be planted. New Milton Residents’ Association had pledged £1,200.

The town has some catching up to do with Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency group which has planted thousands of trees this year, despite the pandemic, and is holding a ceremony this weekend for the 20,000th.

Organiser Louise Mitchell praised the community for “really pulling together” to plant trees at Poulner Lakes, the Mount, along Southampton Road to shield A31 pollution, private land and schools – including Poulner Infant and Junior and Ringwood School.

People had gone out in family groups and volunteered over social media, she said, despite the climate emergency group only being formed this year.

“The determination and the support has been incredible,” she added.

A celebratory oak will be planted by local children at Poulner Lakes during a Covid-compliant event at 2pm on Sunday.

Conservationist Bob Taylor said: “The oak tree is a symbol of the New Forest, and it’s hoped that this tree will live as long as the historic Knightwood Oak – which is around 500 years old.

“The oak is a link to the New Forest’s past, and a hope for the future.”



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