Community Forestry season…

Story: Leonie Kapadia, Community Forestry Development Officer

Look out for the new trees that have been planted in our area this winter:

Firth Park

Ten new trees were planted at Firth Park in February, funded by the Friends of Firth Park and the North East Community Assembly’s Climate Change Fund. Five replaced those vandalised in the summer at the Vivian Road end of the Park and five more were planted around the centre.

On 17th February, the Sure Start Gardening and the Friends Groups, Hucklow Primary School pupils & The Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law) dug in. On 21st February, nursery pupils from First Start and the Brushes Busy Kids group got stuck in too.

Firshill Estate

The Sheaf horticulture dept has been working with the Firshill TARA since the New Year, clearing and hopefully replanting a neglected area between the estate and Sheaf Training, with ornamental and water-loving plants.

On March 9th, students planted 3 Yoshino Cherries (Prunus xyedoensis) originating from Japan, and a Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) – a tree which was discovered in China in the 1940s.

John Absom from Sheaf Training said

“On April 12th we will be having a ‘community action’ day to get everyone involved – Sheffield Homes and the Police have already shown an interest and I'm hoping to get Kier and Street Force involved as well.”

Abbeyfield Park

This winter, a new lime tree took the place of the diseased mature beech tree that was felled in the park last year.

Burngreave Rec

In April, following the completion of the site works currently taking place on the Rec, four new trees should be planted at the top of Burngreave Bank.

Parkwood Springs

On March 28th, the Pitsmoor Road Community Payback team, worked on the Forest Garden at Parkwood Springs, planting new trees and shrubs as well as a general clean up. A further workday is planned for April or May to continue planting the herb and ground cover layer.

The future

The Community Forestry Team has been reduced from four full time posts to three (full time equivalent) for 2011-12. The team is now our manager Tim and three foresters but all staff will become part-time.

Since Community Assemblies began, we now cover all 28 city wards. This means trees can be planted in all areas of the city but, with a zero budget, the year ahead looks challenging.

If you wish to see more trees planted in our area, it is now more important than ever that you petition your Community Assembly.

Telephone: 0114 2734190 Mobile: 07976 988 627