In 2018 it was proposed to create a memorial wood to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War. The scheme, which would have entailed the planting of a large number of very small trees, was abandoned due to very dry weather conditions. Watering and maintaining such a large number of small trees in our (usually) very dry climate here in central Essex would have been very difficult. An alternative scheme has now been put in place.
Designed and largely financed by Braintree District Council, we will now be planting a Memorial Park of around 100 trees in the area of open space between Honeysuckle Way and Bramble Road. The planting will be carried out in two distinct phases which will probably extend into the 2020-2021 planting season. The first will provide a main structural outline made up of 25 semi-mature trees. The second phase will infill with smaller trees. All trees to be planted will be native species such as oak, hornbeam and field maple.
Planting will get under way on Thursday 5th December with volunteers including students from Maltings and New Rickstones Academies, the British Legion and local business Aegon providing much welcome support to members of the Witham Tree Group.
Next summer will provide an additional challenge for members of the Tree Group. To cope with the extra demand for our watering services we have acquired a larger bowser which will enable us to provide weekly drinks of around 20 litres for each of our newly planted trees.
It is perhaps no better way to remember those who gave their lives in The Great War to secure a better future than to plant trees to help mitigate the impact of climate change for the benefit of generations to come.
Allan Waight
WTG Deputy Chairman
1 December 2019
