YEAR Six pupils from Shinfield St Mary’s Junior School have helped plant more than 130 young trees at the Covid Memorial Woodland, just north of California Country Park.
Over the past year, the pupils have been collecting local seeds such as hazel, hawthorn, crab apple and rowan and growing them into healthy saplings.
Using locally sourced seeds helps support biodiversity and creates a stronger, more resilient woodland for the future.
The group were guided by Matt Knight, Head of Ecology at the school, Regional Lead at The Tree Council and co-founder of the local fruit tree planting charity, Freely Fruity.
With experience of having planted more than 10,000 trees locally, he helped the pupils set their home-grown saplings into the ground.
The new trees join thousands already planted on site, with wildflower seeding underway to help nature flourish.
The woodland is due to officially open in 2026, providing a peaceful space to reflect on the pandemic and to honour everyone affected across Wokingham Borough.
For information, visit: shinfield-st-marys-junior.co.uk, wokinghamcountryside.co.uk, treecouncil.org.uk and freelyfruity.org
