Almost 1,000 trees were planted in and around Bath over the winter period, thanks to Bath-based housing association and housebuilder Curo.
The firm’s estates team worked in collaboration with various stakeholders, volunteers, tree contractors and Curo staff to oversee the planting of 125 stand-alone trees, more than 70m of mixed hedgerow – including 400 different species of trees – and helped create two mini forests made up of more than 300 small trees.
Curo, one of the South West’s largest housing associations with a portfolio of 13,000 homes, said the work was an important part of its commitment to sustainability and to providing attractive green spaces for its residents and their communities.
Last winter’s plantings also ensured its current stock of around 8,500 stand-alone trees remains healthy and resilient for generations to come.
The work during the winter included partnering with social enterprise More Trees for B&NES to plant mini forests and hedgerows at two sites in Bath. The 700 small trees were all grown at More Trees’ nursery sites from locally collected seeds.
At Oval Park near Bear Flat, a mini forest was created to provide shelter and food for visiting wildlife as well as creating a more varied landscape within the park, while a 50m hedgerow and central mini forest has been planted at the nearby Stirtingale Park.
Working with Bath & North East Somerset Council, Curo also supplied and planted 11 trees at Whiteway Green Park, each dedicated to a winner of the council’s latest Community Awards.
Curo’s tree-planting was supported by volunteers and assistance from Bath Building Society and Bath-based jewellers Mallory.
Curo senior arboriculturalist and contracts manager Gordon Stuart said: “A huge thank you to all the volunteers, local residents and Curo colleagues who came along to help with this winter’s planting projects.
“Working as part of community is very important to everyone at Curo, and the tree plantings are a great example of successful community collaborations.”
Curo, which also builds hundreds of new properties a year, is best known in Bath for its flagship 700-home Mulberry Park development on former MoD land on the city’s outskirts.
Pictured, top: Some of the volunteers who took part in one of the winter planting sessions
Pictured above: Curo senior arboriculturalist and contracts manager Gordon Stuart
