Henfield Community Canopy is the group working on planting trees on Henfield village streets – the name change aims to reflect that we want community involvement and communication on every new street tree proposed.
The 25 new street trees planted in December are now budding into leaf and some will break into blossom over the coming months. David Bulmer who requested a new tree on the verge by his house wrote: “Thank you for sorting the tree planting. They all look great. We’re looking forward to seeing them in summer!” Very soon we will need to be watering the trees once-a-week. We have some willing volunteer ‘waterers’, but we need more! We have been offered the loan of a water bowser; all we need now is a car with a ball towbar! Please get in touch if you can help in any way.
Residents have been coming forward for new requests for tree planting for this year, especially on Wantley and Flower Farm Close, and it’s been great to meet and talk with them about their wishes and ideas for beautifying the communal green spaces around them. The tree planting is done via the West Sussex County Council’s (WSCC) ‘Donate a Tree’ scheme which covers all the grass verges they own. Each tree currently costs approximately £210, and this includes verges being checked by WSCC for potential power and water issues, for safe driving sightlines, and the cost of planting, staking and yearly checks.
Last year we raised funds through GoFundMe and we were very grateful for all the donations received from residents, community groups and Henfield Parish Council (who provided the majority of the funding).. Funding for this year is already underway; if households or even whole streets can club together to contribute to planting a tree this will really help us in our applications for further funding as it demonstrates community support and enthusiasm for trees. Please get in touch on achristie.42@btinternet.com or 07786 390448 if you would like to request a street tree this year.
And finally, we’re fortunate to be surrounded by a rich heritage of ancient trees, many of them oaks, an iconic British tree. These trees are vital to Henfield looking and feeling like a rural parish with a strong connection to its history. Looking at Henfield Museum’s Arborea page, it’s clear to see that some of the village’s oldest trees have carried great meaning and value for people over the years. Some of these ancient trees already benefit from the protection afforded by Tree Preservation orders, but there’s scope for more. To help safeguard our existing tree canopy, Henfield Parish Council want to encourage residents to propose other veteran trees that may also benefit from Tree Preservation orders.
I’ll leave the last word with Sir David Attenborough: “Ancient trees are precious. There is little else on Earth that plays host to such a rich community of life within a single living organism”
Andrea May