Charity calling for landowners to plant trees and hedges
IT IS HOPED a collaboration between landowners and Guernsey Trees for Life will enhance the island’s biodiversity and act as a buffer for potential disease outbreaks.
GTFL is appealing for private landowners to give permission for the charity to transform certain areas with native and naturalised trees and hedges.
‘The idea behind the appeal is to plant more trees and hedges under our schemes and it will be a partnership between us and the landowners,’ said Guernsey Trees for Life secretary Andy McCutcheon.
‘We will assess the sites and make some suggestions of what could be planted, but ultimately it is up to the landowner to decide what they want to enhance their site.’
There are 23 species of native trees on the island, including silver birch, hawthorn and English oak. There are also naturalised trees and hedging from places such as France.
All trees planted by GTFL this year contribute towards the Queen’s Green Canopy for the Platinum Jubilee year.
‘We are looking to provide benefits to both the island as a whole and the landowners,’ said Mr McCutcheon.
The new tree and hedge additions will boost the appearance of gardens and fields, as well as strengthening the island’s tree population to avoid an epidemic if a species was to contract a disease.
n Anyone who is interested in having trees and hedging planted on their land or wants to find out more can do so by emailing gsytreesforlife@gmail.com or going on Guernsey Trees for Life on Facebook.
