A THAMES Valley business district has planted 450 trees in 90 minutes as part of its environmental strategy.
Armed with shovels 60 planters got to work in Reading’s Green Park, bedding out native species: field maple, common alder, rowan, common hawthorn, English holly, small-leaved lime, and silver lime.
The metre tall trees have been sited at nine locations across the park, which already harbours a wealth of wildlife in the ponds and trees that surround its buildings.
Occupants can picnic during lunch hours, go for nature walks, or run 5k round the park paths.
Now they have hundreds more trees to enjoy.
The planting was carried out by Mapletree, which owns Green Park, Life Terra, a reforestation organisation, and Place Design, which manages Green Park’s trees.
Rory Carson, vice president of Mapletree, said: “This is a lovely event that brings our community together and gives the management team a chance to work alongside park occupiers.
“Globally, we are trying to plant 100,000 trees at our assets.
“At Green Park there are already so many trees that it was a challenge to find places to plant new ones, but we’ve used the opportunity to create nature corridors that will connect the more mature tree plantations and further benefit biodiversity.”
Ties from Life Terra, said: “Our mission is to plant 500 million trees throughout Europe, and to involve as many people as possible.
“These events are part of that, getting local communities to see the benefits of trees for the climate and the environment, and to put them in touch with nature.”
Jan Germs from Mapletree added: “These trees will help support animals by providing food and cover as they grow.
“This area is also a flood prevention system for Reading, so tree planting here will help during the wet season in Winter, as well as in times of drought.
For the eighth year running Green Park has received the Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark, one of only 43 UK sites, and three business parks to achieve the accreditation.
The tree planting project was carried out according to a ‘right tree in the right place’ policy.
This is where five or more native species of trees and shrubs are selected according to the local soil type, the local ecosystem, and their climate adaptability.
Hannah Buckley from Green Park marketing, said: “Today’s event has been really popular with the park occupants.
“We’ll definitely be doing something like it again.”
For more information, visit: www.greenpark.co.uk, www.mapletree.com, www.lifeterra.eu, and www.placedp.com
