Trees for our future

Would you like to be part of a Guinness World Record? The Tree Council is organising a world record attempt to plant as many trees as possible during the weekend of 24, 25, 26 November, which coincides with National Tree Week.

Janet Spiller is co-ordinating the tree planting in Hurst as part of the Trees for our Future national campaign. "I would like to hear from people who have space on their land or in their gardens which would be suitable for a tree. The only proviso is that the tree must be visible by people passing by, so front gardens that abut a road would be fine, and so would open spaces.

"The trees are currently being grown on allotments run by the Babtie group in Reading, and most of them will be about a metre high. They do have some larger specimen trees, although some of these are not suitable for small gardens."

Among the trees available are: tree of heaven, field maple, ash, lime, hazel, hornbeam, cornus mas (the cornelian cherry), hawthorn, horse chestnut, many types of willow - which would make an interesting and colourful planting - and poplar.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Millennium and plant trees to ensure that the green and leafy nature of Hurst continues for many generations to come. I hope that we will be able to plant trees such as oaks and ashes, which are native to this part of Berkshire, in or near hedgerows and open spaces. There are other native trees that are suitable for smaller gardens," said Janet.

If you would like to plant a tree in your garden or an open space near you, please contact Janet on 0118 934 xxxx so that she can plot them on a map and gain permission for the planting sites from Wokingham District Council. This is to ensure that tree roots do not damage any underground utility services. Janet will also require a flat-bed truck or trailer to collect the trees, and some willing helpers to assist in planting the trees in public open spaces. Please call her if you can help.