Firle Tree Planting Initiative was set up in 2020 to ensure our beautiful village remains full of healthy, thriving trees and woodland habitats for generations to come. We work together with villagers, volunteers, arborists, the Estate and organisations such as The Woodland Trust to source and plant new trees and look after existing woodland.
Our tree planting days are fun for all the village. We have so far planted over 1,200 trees and established three sites at Southerham, Heighton Street and the Millenium Wood. Located next to the allotments in the centre of the village, Millenium Wood is a particularly special project involving local schoolchildren, each planting a tree with their name on to nurture and grow.
We asked villagers to take cuttings from trees in their gardens or pot acorns and other seeds, to create a nursery of our own from trees that already do well in the area. We now have hundreds of trees happily growing in pots, awaiting their time to be planted in the wild.
Our goal is to establish a self-sustaining nursery in the village, with a polytunnel hub at the Millenium Wood, so that all trees moving forward will come from our own local stock. You can see the Millenium Wood Management Plan here
The initiative is overseen by a steering group of villagers, who work together to source trees, identify and maintain growing sites, and provide ongoing nurturing for the trees in our care. We are also busy applying for grants, researching funding and sponsorship opportunities, and organising events for the whole village to enjoy. We are also looking for people to join the committee to help develop and progress our initiative.
To add yourself to our mailing list, or to find out our dates and activities so you can be involved, please email firletrees@gmail.com
