Free
Trees for the Canterbury & Thanet Districts
After a seven
year absence, and with help from Kent County Council, the Kentish Stour
Countryside Project has re-introduced a free trees scheme to the Canterbury
and Thanet Districts. Individuals and/or organisations can apply for up to
25 native trees.
Jon Shelton from the Kentish Stour Countryside Project says “The root of
the problem is that trees have disappeared in recent years from both the
countryside and our towns. This has been due to problems such as disease
but also modern methods of farming. In towns we have seen the loss of many
trees because of development, the loss of gardens to driveways, and the
removal of trees to maintain views, particularly in coastal towns. Trees
are important for a number of reasons including wildlife, landscape
quality, and air quality, as they absorb pollutants. So the Canterbury
and Thanet areas really do need more trees.”
Keith
Ferrin, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for
Environment, Highways and Waste said: “I think this is an excellent
scheme. It gives everybody the opportunity to get green fingered and
encourages us to improve our environment. Trees can make landscapes more
attractive as well as being great value to local wildlife.”
There
are 20 native trees and shrubs to choose from and guidance on the best
trees for your locality. For an application telephone 08458 247 600.
Closing date is 31 October 2008.
Go
to the free
trees page on the KCC website for more details,
All you then
have to do is to collect small saplings, plant them and care for them as
they grow.
The Free Tree Scheme is sponsored by National Rail, Kent County Council,
Tilhill, National Grid, Canterbury City Council and Thanet
District Council.
