On 14 March we returned to the Spa Road site and planted five more trees. Three of these – a lime, Norway maple and silver birch – had been provided under the central government scheme which had funded the previous planting on this site. Two more – an oak and a walnut – were generously donated by one of our members. We were joined on this occasion by Alex from Aegon Ltd, making his third appearance of the season and thereby equalling the all-comers record for help by an Aegon employee. We would be delighted if Alex were to return in the next planting season to break the record!
We had hoped to finish the planting with two Scots pines grown in containers over many years by Mr and Mrs Munic of Braintree and kindly donated to the Tree Group. However, it was not possible to collect these trees in time and in fact it was not until 11 April that we were able to add these trees to the Spa Road site. This was the latest that we have planted and these well-established trees may not have taken kindly to the disturbance. However, we shall as usual water and maintain them and are hopeful that they will prosper in their new home.
This brought the 2023/24 planting season to an end. A record 84 trees had been put in the ground, comfortably exceeding the previous highest total of 71. Now, of course, we will need to water these trees through the summer.
The scheme which funded the planting this year at Spa Road and the Rivenhall Oaks cycle path and last year at the Templars Estate requires us to water these trees for three years, rather than the two years which we normally consider sufficient to establish new planting. This requirement is going to place an increasing demand on the Tree Group’s capacity, especially as, with the pressure on local government spending, we shall be looking mainly to this central government scheme to fund our future planting. If anyone can lend a hand for one morning a week for a few weeks between May and September to help with the watering, we would be most grateful. Just drop us an email to withamtreegroup2@gmail.com.
So another planting season is over with a record number of trees planted and a record number to be watered. There are reasons to be optimistic that next season’s planting will be similarly successful. But we are not a large group and it would be disappointing if we found ourselves unable to take up future opportunities to plant trees where they are needed in Witham simply because there were not enough people in the area who were willing and able to give up a small amount of time to assist. So, if you approve of what we stand for, do consider whether you could help. Many thanks and now on with the watering (though, thanks to all the rain, not yet!).
Richard Hawkes
March 2024
