TOWN and parish councils across Cornwall are being offered saplings to plant in commemoration of local heroes, events and places in their communities.
The 213 young trees will be planted in towns and villages as part of the Forest for Cornwall programme, with funding support from the Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Fund.
The saplings, which will be ready for planting between November 2021 and March 2022, are free of charge to local councils.
They include 20 young oak trees grown from acorns from Cornwall’s oldest oak, the Darley Oak, which is estimated to be between 500 and 900 years old.
Carol Mould, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: “This is a great initiative to help all communities across Cornwall to plant a landmark tree to celebrate and commemorate the good things about their communities; be it people, places or events.”
Martyn Alvey, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate at Cornwall Council, said: “This is just one of a number of initiatives that we will be taking forward with support from the Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Fund to work with, support and engage communities with trees, woodlands and hedgerows as part of the Forest for Cornwall.
“We hope it will inspire even more communities to get involved with planning more tree, hedgerow and woodland planting in the future.”
Applications can be made by town and parish councils through the Cornwall Let’s Talk Cornwall website.
If you’re part of a community group hoping to plant trees in your area, the Woodland Trust is providing Free Community Tree Packs which can be ordered via www.woodlandtrust.org.uk