Hello,

Now that Spring is in the air, take the opportunity to get involved in an exciting project!

Join us and Trees for Cities (a local charity who specialise in helping plant trees in urban environments), who will be training us to plant trees and then helping us to plant the first 15 of a bold new tree planting programme for our beautiful hill.

Meet up to plant trees next to the Playground at 10am on Saturday 22 March (until around 3pm) Coffee and pastries provided, as is all equipment. Please wear suitable footwear and bring a bottle of water; all warmly welcome.

Why are we planting trees now?

You may remember that four years ago, via the Crofton Park Ward Assembly, we got a generous grant of £17,000 from the Mayor's Localities Fund, which paid for the planting of 100 new trees on Blythe Hill Fields by the Council's parks contractor, Glendale. The result, alas, was patchy: 58 trees died and another seven need saving. Besides our thick clay soil and some unpredictable weather, there were quality problems over tree stock, planting methods and lack of maintenance.

Glendale have now agreed to replant 46 slightly larger new trees (at the same cost as 58 smaller ones) entirely at their expense, and to do remedial works for the seven sick trees. The new trees will come from a specialist tree firm, Civic Trees, which is now owned by Glendale and, as far as possible, we (the Friends ) will do the planting and maintenance. Glendale will assist us, as well as Trees for Cities, and will act as a default safety net for any extra maintenance.

We are spreading the planting of the 46 trees over three suitable seasons, so that we don't bite off more than we can chew: 15 trees this March, another 15 in Sept-Oct and the final 16 in March next year.

Would you like to adopt your very own tree? Dedicate it to a loved one, or just for pride in Blythe Hill Fields

If you decide to adopt a tree:
You can probably choose it...within the range of species that will thrive in our particular conditions
You get a certificate of adoption
You get to design your own tree marker, to let the world know that you've adopted it
You can have picnics under it whenever you want
You can put a bird box on it if you want
You can feel proud and happy as it flourishes and grows
You can care for your tree, particularly throughout the summer months, when it will need watering. There will be a standpipe near the playground every Saturday from 22 March from 8 am to 3.30 pm. You can get help to do this if you go on holiday, or have any other problems that prevent you from doing it
Mulch it when necessary (put special wood chippings around the base to keep moisture in the soil)

If the idea of adopting a tree interests you, you are welcome to come along on Saturday 22nd March to discuss it, or you can contact Zaria Greenhill on info@zariagreenhill.co.uk, or through the Friends of Blythe Hill Fields facebook page. We'd be pleased to hear from you, and there is no obligation implied by just having a chat.