Tree Planting at King George V Play Area

Published: 07 January 2022

On Wednesday 8th December Helston Town Council’s Ground Maintenance team along with twelve members from Helston Climate Action Group and Forest for Helston volunteers met in King George V Play Area (Coronation Gardens) to plant 380 native mixed deciduous trees as hedgerow and a small spinney.

The trees include Rowan, Elder, Hazel, Dog Rose, Hawthorn, Silver Birch, Goat and Grey willow, Crab apple and Oak. They should provide food and shelter for pollinating insects, birds and small mammals. Thank you to the Woodland Trust who kindly donated these trees. We hope we can plant some more in March 2022.

Our Regeneration Officer, Martin Searle, is leading the project at the Play Area as part of our aim to increase the biodiversity in our green spaces while enhancing town residents’ enjoyment of our open spaces.

Restoring nature to such a well frequented and popular site in the middle of the town brings people face to face with wildlife which will improve everyone’s wellbeing. Wildlife corridors are beneficial for the prosperity of many species in towns as well as in the countryside and can exist in a run of gardens which can link with the parks. King George V Play Area has neighbouring residential housing where wildlife can also find food and shelter. Along with tree planting we have also undertaken many other projects to better our outdoor spaces which have included sowing wildflower seeds and building bug hotels with the help of pupils from St Michael’s School.

No pesticides or other chemicals were used so that all insects and wildlife can prosper in a chemical free environment where many species of plant grow.