Planting is almost complete at a new woodland at Fairlands Valley Park, thanks to help from the community, including pupils from 10 schools. 

Roughly 1,300 new trees were planted in the Southfield at Fairlands with help from pupils from Almond Hill, Shephalbury Park Primary, The Thomas Alleyne Academy, Greenside School, Ashtree Primary School & Nursery, Round Diamond Primary, St Nicholas School, Peartree Spring Primary, Woolenwick Infant and Nursery and Roebuck Academy.

A community planting event was also held on Saturday, January 28 and was attended by 80 residents.

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The planting of the remaining trees to complete the new woodland is expected to take place this month.

A mixture of trees mainly native to the UK have been planted, including silver birch, wild cherry, crab apple, hazel and hornbeam.

The trees will also vary in size – ranging from smaller seedlings to some over two metres tall, but the majority will comprise whips, which are tree seedlings around two or three years old.

The Comet: Ashtree Primary School pupils brave the cold to help plant trees at Fairlands Ashtree Primary School pupils brave the cold to help plant trees at Fairlands (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

In addition, seven silver maple trees were also planted within the new woodland to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

Councillor Simon Speller, portfolio holder for environment, said: "I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in the planting of the new woodland so far – their efforts will help to improve air quality, increase biodiversity and tackle climate change, and provide a new woodland for people to visit for years to come.

"It will be several years before the woodland is fully mature; however, in the meantime, there will be a variety of different habitats to enhance biodiversity, including meadow grasslands, woodland glades, naturally regenerating scrub and access paths.

The Comet: Greenside pupils enjoy the tree planting at Fairlands, StevenageGreenside pupils enjoy the tree planting at Fairlands, Stevenage (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

"Don’t forget there’s still time to submit suggestions for a name for the new woodland. Please send your ideas to community.woodland@stevenage.gov.uk by Wednesday, February 8."

Name suggestions will be shortlisted, and residents will be invited to vote for their favourite name in March.

The Comet: Greenside pupils helped plant trees for the new woodland at Fairlands Valley Park, StevenageGreenside pupils helped plant trees for the new woodland at Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

The Comet: Peartree Spring Primary School pupils at the Southfield site in FairlandsPeartree Spring Primary School pupils at the Southfield site in Fairlands (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

The Comet: Roebuck Academy pupils at the woodland siteRoebuck Academy pupils at the woodland site (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

The Comet: Smiles for Round Diamond Primary School pupils during the tree plantingSmiles for Round Diamond Primary School pupils during the tree planting (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

The Comet: Shephalbury Park Primary School pupilsShephalbury Park Primary School pupils (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

The Comet: St Nicholas School pupils tree planting at FairlandsSt Nicholas School pupils tree planting at Fairlands (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

The Comet: The Thomas Alleyne Academy pupils' at Fairlands' new woodland The Thomas Alleyne Academy pupils' at Fairlands' new woodland (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

The Comet: Woolenwick Infant and Nursery School got involved in the woodland tree planting at Fairlands Valley ParkWoolenwick Infant and Nursery School got involved in the woodland tree planting at Fairlands Valley Park (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)