Macclesfield: Kids help plant new trees in Bollinbrook
By Alex Greensmith
14th Mar 2023 | Local News
Macclesfield schoolchildren helped plant new saplings in a residential area of the town.
Pupils of Bollinbrook Primary School, made the short walk to Cartmel Close to plant young trees on three patches of grass.
The trees were donated by Macclesfield Community Tree Nursery, who grew the trees to a suitable height before being planted by 20 schoolchildren.
Macclesfield Town Councillor David Edwardes' budget paid for the planters from his ward budget, and for the Macclesfield Town Council Town Rangers to come down and help.
This was after Tytherington resident Matthew Freestone got in touch with David.
"We've planted eight fruit trees and created a small orchard," said Matthew.
"The reason this started is that last year 34 trees were cut down in Tytherington.
"There was more after that but I got bored of counting.
"Some of them were cut down because they were dead, diseased or dying. But some were cut down because they were in the wrong place.
"So I spoke to David Edwardes, said this is crap. What shall we do about a replacement?
"Cheshire East Council don't have a policy for planting trees, so it was great to see Macclesfield Town Council help us step in and make today happen.
"David planted 29 trees late last year which replaced some of the 34, and this year we are hoping to do the same thing again.
"But rather than planting in Tytherington, David suggested that we planted trees in the other half of his ward to spread out the benefits.
"Most of the trees planted are fruit trees so in two or three years time the kids can enjoy a variety of apples, plums and pears.
"We've also planted a rare street tree which we will hopefully be able to cultivate seeds on in a few years, to then grow across Macclesfield."
The majority of the new fruit trees are apple.
According to studies from Cornell University, apple trees can absorb between 10-20 tonnes of carbon dioxide per acre every year.
They can also release 15 tonnes of oxygen, which is great news as kids love to play near this area, and walk past it to and from school.
Bollinbrook School's Eva Robinshaw was one of three staff who also got stuck in with the planting.
"We were delighted to be invited to plant the new trees", she said.
"As part of my role I encourage children to do their bit for nature, and we think it is a perfect for them to see a tree from the start.
"A lot of our children will see these trees every day.
"They could come here in a few decades time and say 'I remember when I planted these trees'.
"It is rooting them in their community, and also giving them an important lesson with the basic skills on how to plant a tree."
A Macclesfield Tytherington police officer even helped out with the planting.
The four different types of trees join 68 other varieties Macclesfield Community Tree Nursery have helped plant around the town in the past year.
If you want to volunteer in planting trees around the town, please click here for more information.
Macclesfield Town Council added in a statement: "The children have learnt how to add bonemeal to the prepared hole, gently loosen the roots, make sure the tree is straight and close to its stake, they then topped up the soil, added an expandable tie to keep the tree safe, and scattered some wild flower seeds around the bottom."
Macclesfield Community Tree Nursery can be followed on Facebook.
See Also: Macclesfield man plants 72 tree varieties in a year as he seeks volunteers
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