Two hundred trees planted in one day for mini wood

Two hundred trees have been planted in one day in an effort to create a mini wood that will help people reconnect with nature.

A team from the Forest of Avon Trust worked with local volunteers to plant the trees next to the Greenway Centre in Southmead, Bristol on Thursday.

A variety of indigenous tree species were planted - including oak, hazel, beech, rowan and wild cherry.

"We'll gain a connection to nature, more green space and interacting with trees is really good for us, it calms us down, it slows us down," Ella Tainton, Climate and Nature Action co-ordinator at Southmead Development Trust, said.

"Everyone loves trees in Southmead and this area isn't used very much.

"Hopefully as spring comes, we'll see lots of leaves and blossoms and wildlife."

It is also hoped the new wood will create a wildlife corridor between the community garden and nearby Badock's Wood Nature Reserve.

Wildlife corridors are areas which create connections between different areas so that wildlife can easily move between them.

The idea is to increase the shelter and food sources which local wildlife has access to, supporting biodiversity in the area.

The team of volunteers were guided by experts from the Forest of Avon Trust.

Woodland creation manager for the trust, Lewis Chisholm, said: "I'm very excited to see all the trees going in and such a good community turnout.

"We've got oak, rowan, hornbeam, apple, hazel and holly going in.

"The species mix was informed by the native trees which are already here and are doing well in the area."

Volunteer planter Mitch Henderson added: "You always feel good when you see a nice tree, don't you?

"And all the birds and the wildlife and everything else that comes with it.

"And I'll be able to bring my kids along and say, 'Oh look, Dad planted that tree' and it'll be really nice."

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