Countess of Chester Country Park community tree planting day 2019

Following huge success in previous years, the Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park have organised the third annual tree planting day at the park, with the aim of planting 500 trees.

The family-friendly, fun event will take place on Saturday 2 March from 11am until 2pm.

In today’s changing environment, planting trees is one way of helping to clean up our air and thereby reverse the effects of climate change. The Land Trust, who owns the country park, are part of a major partnership project committed to expanding the woodland next to the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The native broadleaf trees which will be planted will include oak, alder, silver birch, hornbeam, hazel, maple, crab apple and wild cherry – these will also encourage even more wildlife into the site.

As with previous events, this has been made possible by a partnership between Mersey Forest, Cllr Matt Bryan, Cheshire West & Chester Council, the Land Trust, TCV Merseyside and OVO Energy who provide the trees.

Local ward member, Cllr Matt Bryan, who is a member of The Mersey Forest Steering Group said: “Last year we had a brilliant day, the first sunny day of the year and planted 800 trees. Families and couples of all ages came along to plant and we had a thoroughly great time. Added to the 3000 we planted in 2017, this brought the total to 3800 extra trees to enjoy in the park in the future. On Saturday we intend on planting 500 more.”

Land Trust estate manager Sarah Palgrave-Neath explained: “Since opening in September 2014, the park has become a thriving natural space for the whole community to enjoy.  Visitors often comment to our Friends group how the place gets better all the time and that there’s always something new happening.”

If you would like to take part, there will be free parking and all gloves, tools and refreshments will be provided.  All you need to do therefore is wrap up warm and meet us at the cross roads next to the Fallen for the Fallen memorial bench.

If you love the Countess of Chester Country Park and would like to be involved in its future, contact the Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park at Friends.coccp@gmail.com or call Sarah Palgrave-Neath at 01925 852005 for more information.