Carrickfergus Borough Council - Launch of Tree Week in Carrickfergus Borough

25 November 2011

Today Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee will launch National Tree Week in Carrickfergus Borough. The launch at Silverstream Primary School will highlight our TREEmendous achievements since the year 2000, in which Carrickfergus Borough Council has planted 100,000 trees and by the end of this tree planting season we will have planted a further 60,000 trees at Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood.

Alderman Beattie said "The 37th annual National Tree Week will run from 26th November to 4th December 2011 and launches the winter tree-planting season. Every year millions of trees are planted across the UK as part of the initiative. Tree Week started in 1975 and this year in Carrickfergus Borough we will be playing our part by planting more trees that ever."

"Planting a tree is a very positive thing to do and is great fun, even in the depths of winter. There are plenty of reasons to get planting - it's great exercise, children love it, and you'll be making a valuable contribution to our community woodland. To take part in a tree planting event or for further information contact: Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer at Carrickfergus Borough Council. t: 93358039 or e: parks@carrickfergus.org". ended Alderman Beattie

Pauline Buchanan-Black, Director-General of the Tree Council said "A tree planted close to where you live, work or study is good for you and for the nation's condition; trees have been proven to have positive effects on mental health and as an antidote to stressful lifestyles, even aiding recuperation from illness. However, to be able to look out on a tree simply lifts my soul and gladdens my heart. That, at bottom, seems to me to be one of the most compelling reasons to argue that everyone should be able to see a tree from their window - and if you can't, then now is the time to set about changing the view. Every tree matters as much for the beauty, growth and renewal, whether in urban or rural settings, that it demonstrates year on year as for the very practical benefits it brings."

Tree planting events include:

Tree planting at Blackhead Path in Whitehead on Tuesday 29th November 2011 at 11am. In association with Brighter Whitehead.

Tree planting at Eden Allotment Gardens (off Beltoy Road) on Friday 2nd December 2011 at 11am. In association with Conservation Volunteers NI.

We also have a very special Tree Planting Day at Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood on Saturday 25th February 2012. For further information please visit event page.

Free Jubilee Trees from Woodland Trust

Royal Jubilees are always a great excuse for a party. This Jubilee, you can celebrate and have fun with your community in a way that leaves a lasting legacy by planting a free pack of trees from the Woodland Trust. Thousands of groups across the UK have already received free trees from us - apply for yours today for delivery in February, March or November 2012. Designed to help make planting with your local community as easy as possible, the packs are available in two sizes - either 105 trees or 420 trees - and are themed to help you choose the best mix for your local area.

• Wildlife: Blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, birch, rowan, oak
• Year-round colour: Hawthorn, hazel, birch, rowan, cherry, dogwood
• Wood fuel: Ash, birch, cherry, oak, hornbeam
• Wild harvest: Hazel, blackthorn, crab apple, elder, dog rose

All packs also include a special royal sapling, grown from tree seeds collected on royal estates such as Sandringham and Windsor.

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2011 Tree Week Launch at Silverstream Primary School in Greenisland

Greenisland Primary School pupils with Local Councillors at the 2011 Tree Week Launch

Whitehead Community at Tree Week event at Blackhead Path on Tuesday 29th November 2011.

For further information please contact:

Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer
Telephone: 028 9335 8000
E-Mail: parks@carrickfergus.org