The National Trust fights against climate change
Climate Change is affecting our heritage. The National Trust manages properties and places all over the country and is taking action to fight against climate change and protect our heritage into the future. James Brown, National Trust Archaeologist for London & South-East Region, and newly elected to the Society’s Council, has also shared a link to the Historic Environment Forum where climate change and other issues are discussed. And, thanks to James, we have news of a big National Trust tree planting initiative, which includes three new Surrey schemes:
- Ambition to create lasting legacy for Her Majesty as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy – an initiative which invites people to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”
- 70 projects across the country announced to include recreation of historic tree avenues lost to diseases, old age or storms, orchards and significant single tree plantings
- Jubilee Trees to be planted during the official planting season in 2022
Projects in Surrey include:
Abinger Roughs
Reinstating an avenue of around 24 sweet chestnut trees on the south-east edge of Abinger Roughs, next to the East Lawn, a magnificent 18th-century avenue of trees which had fallen into decline, with very few remaining after the great storm of 1987.
Henry Barnard, National Trust Lead Ranger said: “We plan to reinstate the avenue by planting around 24 trees and surround them with post and rail tree guards. The trees will be well-spaced to encourage an open, grassy feel, and once again local people will be welcome to harvest the sweet chestnuts. It’s going to be amazing to see the avenue reinstated and have these special trees growing again. I hope that future generations will enjoy roasting chestnuts from the avenue as they used to in the past.”
Westhumble Orchard
Planting a traditional orchard at Westhumble, close to Box Hill, with a mixed variety of approximately 250 trees including apples, pears, quince, plums, cherry, figs, cobnuts, filbert nuts, and medlars; beehives with honey bee colonies will also be installed in the orchard, to act as pollinators and gradually improve the biodiversity of the area.
National Trust Lead Ranger Mark Dawson said: “This spring and autumn, a traditional orchard will be planted with a mixed variety of approximately 250 trees including apples, pears, quince, plums, cherry, figs, cobnuts, filbert nuts, and medlars. Beehives with honey bee colonies will also be installed in the orchard, to act as pollinators and gradually improve the biodiversity of the area”.
Planting 15 new trees (cherry, hawthorn, walnut and scots pine) on the edge of the lawn bordering the parkland and behind the house at Hatchlands Park to replace ones which have fallen.
