Macclesfield Borough Council is asking residents to provide good homes for native trees and shrubs.
The Council’s annual Free Trees give-away is being launched this month for the 22nd year and householders have the choice of six species in 2008. Oak, silver birch, field maple, wild cherry, alder buckthorn and holly are on offer and residents can apply for a maximum of 10, subject to availability.
The scheme was set up to improve the amount of woodland in Cheshire as the county which was once blanketed in vast forests now has less than four per cent tree cover.
Free Trees organiser Trevor Bithell says: “We had our biggest take-up ever in 2007 and, as this is the Cheshire Year of the Gardens, I hope that thousands more trees will be planted by local people. If you can provide a good home for native trees and shrubs, we’ll be delighted to hear from you.”
Trees must be visible from the road or public footpath, they must be planted in the Borough on land in residents’ ownership or control i.e. gardens but not road verges, and applicants must be willing to maintain the trees.
The species being offered are all native because these support greater populations of wildlife. The trees will be provided as whips up to 120cm in height – the best size to establish strong, healthy trees.
Residents have two months to apply for their trees and the closing date is Friday 31 October 2008. Successful applicants will be notified and need to be able to collect their trees at the end of November. Contact 01625 504657, download the form by following this link, email m.moran@macclesfield.gov.uk or s.Jackson@macclesfield.gov.uk, text: 07966 974117, or write to Environmental Services Unit, Macclesfield Borough Council, Town Hall, Macclesfield, SK10 1DP.
The choices for 2008 are:
Oak – A large spreading tree, growing up to 20 metres, suitable for damp, heavy soils, not ideal for near buildings or small gardens but excellent for wildlife.
Silver Birch – A graceful, medium-sized tree, ultimate height up to 12 metres, with a silvery white trunk and drooping branches. It grows well in poor soils.
Field Maple – A small, bushy tree, usually growing to a height of 10 metres with excellent Autumn colour. Small yellow-green flowers in Spring are followed by winged seeds. Suitable for heavy soils.
Wild Cherry – 10 metres. White blossom in the Spring and the leaves turn crimson in the autumn. Important food source for birds. Often planted as an ornamental.
Alder Buckthorn – A small shrub, ultimate height six metres, suitable for planting in damp conditions. It bears black berries which are good winter food for birds, and is an important food plant for the Yellow Brimstone butterfly.
Holly – This evergreen can grow up to 15 metres, but is also found as a hedgerow shrub. Holly needs to be planted in a group of at least three to encourage berry production in the future. Will also tolerate shady conditions
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| Organiser Trevor Bithell is looking for good homes for thousands of trees. |
