Islanders want more trees on their land
AN INITIATIVE launched by Guernsey Trees for Life saw about 100 enquiries from islanders asking about having trees and hedges planted on their land.
As a result, some 25 sites have been identified which the group will be planting in the months to come, or in some cases providing the trees and letting the landowner plant themselves.
One of the first places to benefit was a field in St Saviour’s, which was once used for dairy farming but is now empty.
Members of GTFL turned up on a chilly but sunny Saturday morning to plant about 90
trees around the perimeter.
Group secretary Andy McCutcheon was among them and said those who applied had various reasons for doing so, including wanting to increase shade or shelter, but predominantly to add to the area’s biodiversity.
Alders were among the trees going in on this occasion, which would hopefully encourage a lot of insects which in turn would lead to more birds.
Member Vic Froome said he expected alder saw-fly to be attracted which are fed upon by green and gold finches.
Landowner Bob Gallagher was helping by strimming some of the longer grass and said he had learned of the group’s idea at the West Show. ‘I thought it was just a nice thing that they were doing,’ he said.
‘What a great thing for the environment.’
Mr McCutcheon said that after planting this field the group hoped to put a hedge in another
one the following morning.
