More than 850 trees have taken root in the very first micro-forest in Treales, between Preston and Kirkham.
Youngsters from Treales Church of England Primary School took part in a recent day of tree planting on the village field behind the school and Christ Church, when they planted a mixture of native woodland trees and shrubs.
They were helped by county councillor Joshua Roberts, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities; members of the Treescapes team; and Treales, Roseacre and Wharles parish councillors.
Read more: Thousands of trees planted along Fishwick Bottoms to protect 5,000 homes and businesses
In 2024, Lancashire County Council and its partners started creating a series of Miyawaki micro-forests. Since then, the council’s Treescapes team has planted at least one micro forest in each district of Lancashire. This project was made possible with the support of a grant from The Tree Council and DEFRA’s Trees Outside Woodland Fund.
Cllr Roberts said: “The micro-forest scheme is phenomenal and the Treales site is the 31st one to be planted in Lancashire, bringing the total of trees in Lancastrian micro-forests to more than 35,000, which is incredible.
“Another 10 new micro-forests are being created across Lancashire this winter. This is the best time for this work as the tree planting season in the UK runs from November to March. This is the trees’ dormant season, allowing their roots to establish before the growing season begins.”
Micro-forests allow wildlife habitats to form much more quickly than they would do normally, giving them almost-instant resilience to drought, flood and vandalism.
Councillor Jane Barnes, chair of the Treales, Roseacre and Wharles Parish Council, added: “We’ve worked very closely with Lancashire County Council to create a mini forest, with the help of community groups, the school and schoolchildren. It will have a glade in the middle for the children to learn about the environment.
“We’re delighted to be able to have this space and for everybody to have come out to help us to plant it.”
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