Climate Action Wendover – February 2023

Trees in Wendover

CLAW have now planted around 3,000 trees in Wendover. Our aim is to plant one tree for every resident. So what are the benefits for individual residents, Wendover as a community and for the planet? As we have seen over the last summer, global warming is no longer an event that will happen in the future, it is here. We have experienced some very high temperatures in 2022 and anyone walking under the shade of large trees may have noticed the temperature drop by several degrees.

This is still tree planting season so it is worth thinking about adding native trees to your garden. Trees are clearly nice to look at but they also contribute much more by helping with climate change and increasing biodiversity. With alarming reports about a drastic drop in insect numbers and the effect of avian ‘flu on bird populations, anything that helps increase biodiversity and encourage wildlife must be welcomed. Some concerns may include the effects of trees on property as they cast shade, grow too big or their roots cause damage, but it depends very much on the tree. Trees such as birch and rowan (mountain ash) with small, low density leaf cover cast only dappled shade; some are slow growing or have limited growth; some trees, especially willows and poplars, with potentially invasive roots would be unsuitable for planting near houses, drains or sewers. It’s about the right tree in the right location. It is worth checking which tree is suited to your chosen site. The Woodland Trust can provide further information (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk) as can local arboriculturists.

There is still time for planting trees this winter and if you are inclined then do join us in Ashbrook Park on 4 February for our community tree planting morning. Contact us at www.climateactionwendover.org.