More than 20,000 trees to be planted in Jersey

More than 20,000 trees will be planted in Jersey to boost biodiversity and replenish public parks and arboretums, conservationists have said.

Charity Jersey Trees For Life said the saplings - made up of 82 species - had arrived in the island from the UK.

CEO Alex Morel said they would be planted in Jersey solar farms, agricultural fields, parks and the arboretum at Val de la Mare Reservoir.

She said: "We've got atlas cedars, we've got judas trees at Coronation Park and lots of Japanese cherry trees going into Howard Davies Park."

The new trees have been temporarily planted to "rest dormant" before going to "their forever home", Mrs Morel said.

"Most of them arrive bare root so we're not bringing in lots of soil."

She said this reduced the risks of pests and diseases and was a much cheaper option.

The charity said it currently grew oak, ash and sweet chestnut on-island and that it was trying to do more to grow local trees so it did not have to rely on imports from the UK.

Mrs Morel said the trees would be of great benefit to islanders: "They give us oxygen to breathe, they are incredibly important to prevent soil erosion, they reduce pollution, clean the air, and they're great for your mental and physical wellbeing."

Jersey Trees for Life said some of the trees would be part of a wild orchard on the edge of the solar farms at Sorel, in the north of the island.

Ben Parkes, the charity's lands manager, said it was a place where the community could go and "forage, learn about trees and have fun".

"We've got apples, got things like damsons up there, we've got hazel.

"It's not just about us being able to get a snack up there. We want the wildlife to as well."

The charity also welcomed the support it had received from volunteers, which had grown from two to more than 500.

Mrs Morel said it was great to see people working with the charity "to improve the environment".

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