As part of the Greening Chelmsford Project, we have begun our tree planting for the winter 2020/21 season, with a total of 14,000 whips (small trees) and nearly 500 standards (mature trees) being planted throughout the Chelmsford borough.
There are 9 different sites where we are planting whips, including: Swan Pasture (Springfield), John Shennan, Brewhouse Hoppit (Writtle), Sandford Mill Road, Hylands Park, Admirals Park, Danbury, Ford End and Runwell. All the sites have been prepared for planting, with fencing being put in to reduce trampling or reduce the impact of rabbits where needed. We have not been able to run as many volunteer sessions as we would have liked to due to Covid restrictions, but we have still been busy and already we have planted nearly 5000 trees.
Planting trees involves a series of different steps:
- Collect tools and a section of different tree species.
- Find a suitable space for planting and use you spade to create a slot in the ground.
- Place roots in the slot ensuring that all roots are below ground level and firm around with your foot.
- Place wood chippings around the tree to suppress weed growth.
