The Kingswood School Eco-Alliance visited Tree Source UK in Bradford on Avon to help with the planting of their new tree nursery. Tree Source uses natural methods to regenerate, rewild and restore biodiversity whilst demonstrating the living value of trees for agricultural land and woodlands.
Tree Source is planting 1,118 fruit and nut trees across its site from now until April 2023. The Kingswood Eco-Alliance rose to the challenge and spent the afternoon planting and discussing the importance of biodiversity with the other volunteers. As it began to get dark, the windswept pupils packed up and gathered around a campfire with the other volunteers to enjoy a hot cup of tea and brownies.
“The young people from Kingswood were an incredible asset to our tree planting day,” said Rangana, Co-founder of Tree Source. “By getting their hands dirty working alongside our experienced arboriculturists, they learned the best way to plant trees to ensure they thrive.
“They also learned the importance of communities: how trees and plants support each other via their associated fungal networks in the soil and also how bringing people together to work with trees can improve wellbeing and foster a strong connection with nature. We’re looking forward to welcoming them back again!”
Romy, a Year 13 student and member of the Kingswood Eco-Alliance also shared her thoughts about the day. “So, first off I learnt a lot about how to plant trees properly, much more complicated than I’d imagined! The depth, the contact with the soil, the fungi within the soil, the protection needed against deer and rabbits all play an important factor in giving each tree the best chance of survival.
“I loved that no plastic tree guards were used, just hemp material wrapped around the thin trunks or the tastier trees. This apparently is enough to stop animals from eating them. I really enjoyed being outside and doing something useful, as well as the cup of tea and brownie at the end around the fire which was really fun.
“The tree source project is all about planting food forests which include nut trees, fruit trees, medicinal plants etc and the trees will obviously all play their part in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”
The Kingswood Eco-Alliance really enjoyed volunteering for Tree Source UK and are looking forward to visiting again over the coming year.