Commemorative trees to be planted across Cornwall

As part of the Forest for Cornwall programme, landmark trees celebrating community heroes, places and events will be planted in towns and villages across Cornwall.

213 trees will be supplied to local town and parish councils, and will be ready for planting between November 2021 and March 2022.

The saplings will include 20 young oak trees grown from acorns from Cornwall’s oldest oak, the Darley Oak, which is estimated to be between 500 and 900 years old.

Carol Mould, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: ‘This is a great initiative to help all communities across Cornwall to plant a landmark tree to celebrate and commemorate the good things about their communities; be it people, places or events.’ 

The project will receive funding support from the Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Fund, and town and parish councils can apply for the scheme immediately.

Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for environment and climate change at Cornwall Council, said that this initiative is just the start of their work with the Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Fund.

‘This is just one of a number of initiatives that we will be taking forward with support from the Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Fund to work with, support and engage communities with trees, woodlands and hedgerows as part of the Forest for Cornwall. 

‘We hope it will inspire even more communities to get involved with planning more tree, hedgerow and woodland planting in the future,’ he said.

In related news, The National Trust has unveiled an ambitious plan to convert a derelict viaduct in the centre of Manchester into a verdant urban park and meeting place.

Photo by Cristina Anne Costello