Mansfield students plant more than 1,000 new trees on college site

As part of National Tree Week at the start of the month, more than a thousand young trees were planted around West Nottinghamshire College’s perimeter fence at the campus in Derby Road.

The initiative was made possible with the help of a ‘Branching Out’ grant from The Tree Council.

The college received a bumper donation of trees from The Tree Council, including field maple, hazel, spindle and blackthorn as well as bamboo canes to support them and biodegradable spiral guards to protect each plant as it grows.

More than 50 first year A-level students took turns planting the saplings, which have been placed around the college’s perimeter fence to create a new hedgerow.

A-Level programme area leader Alison Lincoln said: “We’ve been absolutely delighted with the amount of trees we received from The Tree Council.

“Our plan is to put them around the perimeter of the college campus, adding to the existing small hedgerows and where currently there is metal railings.

"Eventually we hope that these plants will replace the railings to provide a green and healthy habitat for wildlife.

“We consulted the council’s arboreal officer once again for his advice on planting. Hawthorn is an excellent early pollinator and produces an abundance of bird food.

“We’ve enjoyed involving students from all across the college with planting their new trees for the future.”