Helston Town Council plant trees for wildlife in Cornwall

On Wednesday, December 8 the Helston Town Council Ground Maintenance team along with twelve members from Helston Climate Action Group and Forest for Helston volunteers met in King George V Play Area (Coronation Gardens) to plant 380 native mixed deciduous trees as hedgerow and a small spinney.

The trees were planted in the King George V Play Area (Coronation Gardens) Picture: Helston Town Council

The variety of trees included Rowan, Elder, Hazel, Dog Rose, Hawthorn, Silver Birch, Goat and Grey willow, Crab apple and Oak. They should provide food and shelter for pollinating insects, birds and small mammals.

The Town Council would like to extend its gratitude to the The Woodland Trust who kindly donated these trees, and they aim to be planting more trees to the local environment in March this year.

The Town Councils Project is being led by Projects Officer, Martin Searle as part of their aim to increase the biodiversity in Helston's green spaces while enhancing town residents’ enjoyment of the open spaces around the town.

Wildlife corridors are beneficial for the prosperity of many species in towns as well as in the countryside and can exist in a run of gardens which can link with the parks. King George V Play Area has neighbouring residential housing where wildlife can also find food and shelter.

The community worked together to plant a variety of trees Picture: Helston Town Council

Along with tree planting the Council have also undertaken many other projects to better the local outdoor spaces which have included sowing wildflower seeds and building bug hotels with the help of pupils from St Michael’s School.

No pesticides or other chemicals were used so that all insects and wildlife can prosper in a chemical free environment where many species of plant grow.