Shropshire community tree scheme announces new ‘top up’ option

Shropshire’s residents, landowners and farmers applying for free trees through the community tree scheme, have up to Friday 2 December 2011 to take advantage of a new ‘top up’ option which allows purchasers to buy additional trees at wholesale prices. 

Shropshire Council’s community tree scheme, which provides a number of native tree and shrub saplings free of charge, now has an option for applicants ‘top up’ with the most used species. 

There are 33 species of tree available through the tree scheme to suit all sites and spaces. Applicants for free trees have to indicate how their planting will provide some public benefit and preference is given to trees visible from a public road. 

The council will provide the additionally-purchased trees at the same time as applicants pick up their ‘free’ ones through the tree scheme. 

The council had reached agreement with Maelor Forest Nursery of Bronington near Whitchurch to provide additional trees at very favourable wholesale prices, which will be available until the scheme’s closing date on 2 December 2011. 

Shropshire’s mature native trees, which contribute so much to our magnificent landscape, are an aging and declining resource, with a third of our hedgerow trees being over 100 years old.  This scheme aims to attract people who are interested in helping to reverse this decline, as well as help reduce Shropshire’s carbon footprint and provide the myriad of biodiversity, cultural, social and economic benefits that trees bring.  

Councillor Mal Price, Cabinet member responsible for conservation, commented:

“We’d like to thank Maelor Forest Nursery from Bronington near Whitchuch for generously sponsoring the tree scheme.  This makes it really easy for people to plant bigger schemes than we have been able to support before.  Planting trees benefits everyone through the generations, and people in 100 years time will be grateful to those who plant trees today, just as we thank our Victorian ancestors for the fabulous mature trees we enjoy today.” 

John Blessington, Shropshire Council’s arboricultural officer, said:

“All eligible applicants who want to plant a larger number of trees, woodland area or hedges can now buy unlimited numbers of the most popular species, meaning they have a simple one stop shop for all their needs.  The clock is ticking down now on the 2011 tree scheme, so potential applicants are urged to get their scheme details back to us as soon as possible, so as to be sure to beat the deadline of 2 December.” 

To apply for the community tree scheme and to find out more about the new ‘top up’ option please call 01743 252564.  Alternatively, visit our website at shropshire.gov.uk/environment.nsf to download the tree scheme application form. 

The aim of the Community Tree Scheme is to produce individual landscape trees, small groups or very small copses not grant aidable by other schemes.  Spiral shelters and canes are also provided to stop the young trees becoming rabbit food. 

Unfortunately the trees are not available to fulfil planning conditions or other such obligations.