The environmental organisation, Sustainable Swanage is offering the opportunity to contribute towards tree planting along the High Street – possibly as a gift for Christmas.
As part of National Tree Week, twenty oaks are being planted along the High Street between Swanage School and Emmanuel Baptist Church in a bid to increase biodiversity and improve the natural environment on the main road into town.
Replace trees that have been cut down
The oak trees are being part funded by Dorset Council to replace trees that have been cut down in the area due to disease or damage.
However there’s also a chance to dedicate a tree planted by Sustainable Swanage by making a donation. To say thank you, anyone who contributes will receive a Sustainable Swanage Tree Dedication certificate and thank you card.
“Many psychological and health benefits”
Dorset Council Arboriculture Manager, Steve Maros, said:
“Trees in urban areas have a vital role to play in ensuring that our towns are enjoyable and habitable to live in. They bring many other benefits including filtering airborne dust and pollution, absorbing traffic noise, reducing temperature extremes, increasing privacy in residential roads and providing shade.
“They also play an important role in nature conservation by providing food and nesting sites for birds, insects and other animals and very importantly they provide many psychological and health benefits.”
Eventually provide an avenue effect
The ground for the trees along the verge has been prepared and the planting is expected to be be completed on Monday 30th November 2020. The plan is for the oaks to eventually provide an avenue effect as residents and visitors come into Swanage.
The deciduous trees, that will grow up to 20 to 40 metres tall, are being planted close together initially but as they increase in height, they will be thinned out to provide enough room for growth.
“Positive project for the town during these difficult times”
Swanage Town Council deputy mayor, Councillor Avril Harris said:
“This is an exciting and positive project for the town during these difficult times and it’s a contribution to our efforts to address the climate and ecological crisis, which Swanage Town Council takes seriously.”
This is one of several projects that Sustainable Swanage is involved with to enhance green spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife.
More information
Due to an overwhelming response the team at Sustainable Swanage have now paused the opportunity to sponsor a tree and have removed the link to donate from their website.
If you would like to get involved in future tree planting opportunities, then please email Sustainable Swanage at welcome@swanage.gov.uk or visit the website
