We have been really busy over the last few weeks finishing off our planting schemes before the weather starts to warm up. The trees that we plant over winter are bare rooted, meaning they can be lifted from the ground and planted in the winter, while the weather is colder, as the trees are dormant at this time. However, as the weather starts to warm up and spring is in the air, the trees will begin to grow again, meaning planting them will cause water stress and the tree might die. This leaves us with quite a narrow window to get our trees planted - roughly the months between November and the end of March.
The Beacon CE Primary, North Liverpool
Pupils of all ages helped to plant the trees, having a great
time despite the windy conditions! Everyone worked in pairs or small groups to
dig the holes and plant the trees, taking care not to trample the daffodils too much! We look forward to carrying on the planting next season with some fruit
trees and creation of a shelter belt at the front of the school.
Kirkdale St Lawrence Primary School, North Liverpool
Staff from The Mersey Forest helped Kirkdale St Lawrence
School to plant their first orchard. A combination of apple cordons, pears,
damsons and plums were planted on a grassy bank in the school grounds. Pupils
will be able to nurture their trees, watching them grow and bear fruit. Any
fruit produced by the trees will then be able to be eaten by the pupils, or
sold as part of a farmer’s market plan the school are hoping to put into
action. This will involve the pupils growing fruit and vegetables to sell
themselves, helping them to learn about how to manage a business as well as how
to grow their own food and the benefits of healthy eating. The tree planting is
part of a long- term goal by the school to make their outdoor area greener, working
around the challenges of hard landscaping and limited space.
Cathcart Street Primary, Birkenhead
Cathcart Street Primary pupils have been doing lots to
improve their outdoor space over the last couple of months. They began by
preparing an area of ground for some wildflower sowing to provide a habitat for
pollinating insects. Staff from The Mersey Forest provided wildflower poppy mix
for the children to sow to commemorate the First World War, which they have
been learning about in school. This was followed a few weeks later with some
tree planting, a combination of silver birch, apple, pear and damson trees.
These will provide shade in the nursery area’s outside space as well as shading
two seating areas and giving the children the opportunity to learn about fruit
growing. The children really enjoyed
digging and planting and are already taking watering the trees and wildflowers
very seriously!
Malvern Primary, Knowsley
Staff and pupils from Malvern Primary School have been
working hard to transform their school grounds into an amazing outdoor learning
area, with the help of The Mersey Forest. Several new areas of mixed woodland have been created, as well as an
orchard and a wet woodland area which will feature a wildlife pond.
The whole school were involved in planting trees and sowing wildflowers to create their new Forest School area. Year 6 pupils supported classes of younger children throughout the day, giving them encouragement and helping them to dig. All the children had the opportunity to learn about the benefits of planting trees and spent some time helping to plant their forest school area and explore the new space. Tree species planted included Scots Pine, Beech, Willow, Holly, Oak, Field Maple, Rowan, Cherry, Alder and Silver Birch. In the orchard Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum and Damson were planted to provide a range of fruit which children can taste and use to create dishes which promote healthy eating.
By creating this outdoor classroom the children will be able to have lessons outside in their natural environment allowing them to learn more about managing woodland, building dens, making fire’s, as well as gaining increased self- esteem, better social skills, health and physical fitness improvements.
The whole school were involved in planting trees and sowing wildflowers to create their new Forest School area. Year 6 pupils supported classes of younger children throughout the day, giving them encouragement and helping them to dig. All the children had the opportunity to learn about the benefits of planting trees and spent some time helping to plant their forest school area and explore the new space. Tree species planted included Scots Pine, Beech, Willow, Holly, Oak, Field Maple, Rowan, Cherry, Alder and Silver Birch. In the orchard Apple, Pear, Cherry, Plum and Damson were planted to provide a range of fruit which children can taste and use to create dishes which promote healthy eating.
By creating this outdoor classroom the children will be able to have lessons outside in their natural environment allowing them to learn more about managing woodland, building dens, making fire’s, as well as gaining increased self- esteem, better social skills, health and physical fitness improvements.
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