A project to plant around 4,000 trees in the Southfield of Fairlands Valley Park has begun with help from schools in Stevenage.

Throughout December and January, pupils from Stevenage have helped to plant a mixture of tree species, including silver birch, wild cherry, crab apple, oak and chestnut.

The trees are mainly from species that are native to the UK, and vary in size from smaller seedlings to some that are more than two metres tall. Most of the trees are whips - seedlings that are around two or three years old.

The Comet: The trees are being planted in the Southfield of Fairlands Valley Park.The trees are being planted in the Southfield of Fairlands Valley Park. (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

Seven silver maple trees will also be planted within the new woodland to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

It will take several years for the woodland to develop into maturity. However, there will be a variety of different habitats to enhance biodiversity while the trees mature, including meadow grasslands, woodland glades, naturally regenerating scrub and access paths.

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Cllr Simon Speller, portfolio holder for environment and climate change at Stevenage Borough Council, said: “We know how important trees are for the planet, not only because of their contribution to increasing biodiversity and improving air quality, but also because of their ability to help mitigate the effects of rising temperatures.

"This is the largest planting of new trees the council has ever undertaken, which shows our commitment to tackling climate change.

The Comet: Cllr Richard Henry, Mayor Cllr Margaret Notley and Cllr Simon Speller helped plant some of the trees.Cllr Richard Henry, Mayor Cllr Margaret Notley and Cllr Simon Speller helped plant some of the trees. (Image: Stevenage Borough Council)

“We’re looking forward to working with the local community, including the next generation at Stevenage schools, to plant the new woodland and seeing the trees mature over the next few years.”

There will be a competition to name the new woodland, and residents are invited to send their suggestions to community.woodland@stevenage.gov.uk by Wednesday, February 8.

Suggestions will be shortlisted, and residents will be invited to vote for their favourite name during March 2023.