Now that work at the WW1 Memorial Park between Bramble Road and Honeysuckle Way is ended for the current season, on 30 January we turned to our own planting sites. Witham Town Council has not been able to make funds available this year on the same scale as previous years and the Group therefore has fewer trees to plant (and four have already been planted as part of the Memorial Park). Given the scale of the planting at the Memorial Park and the fact that the Group must water all new trees through the spring and summer, as well as the trees planted last year, this reduction in activity will fortunately only have limited impact.
The only significant planting site for these trees this year is off Flora Road, near the junction with Powers Hall End. This is a large grassy area, comparable with the site of the Memorial Park, but our plans for the Flora Road site are much more modest! On 30 January we planted five hornbeams in a curving line parallel with the road. They are fastigiate trees, which means that they will not form a wide crown.
In addition, we planted a tulip tree in memory of Mrs Irene Petrie using funds provided to the Group under her will. Although Mrs Petrie had not left the funds specifically for this purpose, we thought it an appropriate way of expressing our appreciation for her benefaction.
Finally, we often receive comments from local residents while we are planting. Most are supportive but some are not. On this occasion a resident whose garden backs on to the site came to express his reservations about the choice of location. Having done so, he then served us with cups of coffee, which were very much appreciated!
Richard Hawkes
30 January 2020
