FFW are planning a tree planting campaign in January 2025. The purpose of this is to boost the local ecology whilst also creating a natural screen to hide the views of the industrial estate buildings. 

The event will take place on Saturday 18th January with two sessions during the day. One beginning at 10am - 12pm, the second from 1pm - 3pm. We will meet at the New Quay Road entrance of Freeman's Wood. Please use the following link to our sign-up form if you would like to join us -

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehSkwjoCPjCFhB-c3Y...

Children, accompanied and closely supervised by responsible adults are welcome to attend. If you can, bring a spade, and dress appropriately for the January weather!

It will greatly help our organisers if you could complete the sign-up form by scanning the QR code attached to our flier.

Calculations show the area will hold 750 trees at a planting distance of 2 metres apart. This is the usual measure used by the Woodland Trust and Tree Council. Steve Bullen and Clio Graham provided us with a list of suggested trees. Ian Proctor added some more based on what he has successfully planted on Fairfield over the last few years. The exception is Wych Elm which is indigenous to North Lancs according to Eric Greenwood's 'FLORA OF NORTH LANCASHIRE' which is the bible on these matters. The consolidated list comes to 10 canopy trees and 10 understorey shrubs, although some can count as both. We agreed a split of one third canopy and two thirds understorey: Canopy trees, 25 of each of Birch, Whitebeam, Field Maple, Sessile Oak, Spindle, Wild Cherry, Hornbeam, Small Leaved Lime, Bird Cherry & Wych Elm. Understorey shrubs: 50 each of Alder Buckthorn, Crab Apple, Dog Rose, Gorse, Guelder Rose, Hazel, Holly, Rowan, Dog Wood & Wild Privet. As our site is thick, tussocky grass we agreed that medium sized bare root plants will be best. 

We are looking for as many local volunteers as possible to help with the tree planting, and we would greatly appreciate your assistance.