600 saplings planted at Alma Road Recreation Ground as part of nationwide initiative

Volunteers helped plant the 'Tiny Forest' in Enfield Highway — *Volunteers helped plant the ‘Tiny Forest’ in Enfield Highway*

Volunteers have helped plant 600 trees to create a ‘Tiny Forest’ in Enfield Highway.

Tiny Forest is an initiative led by Oxford-based environmental charity Earthwatch, which has so far seen 160 miniature woodlands planted around the UK over the past three years.

The Tiny Forest at Alma Road Recreation Ground is Enfeld’s first and was planted by volunteers within the space of just a few hours last Friday (16^th). Speaking to the Dispatch during the planting session, Amy Crosweller from Earthwatch said: “We are in the process of planting 600 baby trees of various species and we have got volunteers from the local community and local primary schools helping out.

“We also ask volunteers to help look after the trees and co-ordinate monitoring activities.”

Each tree in the Tiny Forest is planted only 30cm apart, using a special technique called ‘Miyawaki’ which helps the woodland establish itself in just three years. Amy said: “It is to do with the way the soil is prepared and the mulch that we use – the ground is softer and the roots can get down more quickly.”

Alma Road Recreation Ground lies adjacent to Durants Park, where Enfield Council is currently creating another wetlands habitat. Spoil from the excavation of the woodland is being used to landscape Alma Road Rec and make it a more natural environment, alongside the Tiny Forest itself.

Amy said the area was chosen for a Tiny Forest project as there was a lack of pre-existing high-quality green space locally. “It will be good for people as well as good for wildlife,” she said. “It is an exciting thing to have on your doorstep.”

Find out more about the Tiny Forest project:
Visit tinyforest.earthwatch.org.uk

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.