Group members held functions, coach trips and meadow awareness days in 2015 to raise monies to re-introduce Elm trees to the Borough of Chorley. The group’s target figure including transport was £824.00, to allow us to buy 10 trees. Thanks to the generosity of members of the public supporting our events and making donations along with group members, our target was reached.
Thanks to Lindsey Blackstock, Parks & Open Spaces Officer for Chorley Council who helped the group throughout this project and Chorley Council who fully supported the project by donating tree stakes & ties, along with compost, which would help give the trees a good start. Lindsey who works closely with the group said the group had done a great job with the planting. Planting positions were agreed with Chorley Council, those being 5 in Astley Park & 5 at Yarrow Valley Country Park. The trees were planted on Wednesday 16th November 2016 in Astley Park and at Yarrow Valley Country Park on Sunday 20th November 2016. At 4 mtrs high, they are estimated at 7 years old when planted.
Supplied by King & Co Nurseries http://kingco.co.uk/
The species of tree chosen was Ulmus Lutece http://www.resistantelms.co.uk/elms/ulmus-lutece/
The following was sent to the local Paper The Chorley Guardian.
The Mayor of Chorley, Councilor Doreen Dickinson planted the first Elm with Group members ( L to R ) Ian Minion, Mike Brooks, Kath McHugh, Eddie Langrish, Ian Marsh, Rosy Russell, Jean Barlow & John Cobham.
The trees have been especially grown to be resistant to Dutch Elm disease, a fungus which wiped out most English Elms across the country in the 1970s and 1980s accounting for millions of trees. The species planted Ulmus Lutece was developed by the Netherlands Elm breeding programme but later acquired by the French agency INRA (French National Institute for Agricultural Research) and released in 2002 after lengthy trials. Thousands of these trees have been planted in France and Britain to compensate some of the loss. The Mayor of Chorley, Councillor Doreen Dickinson attended the ceremonial planting representing Chorley Council. Councillor Adrian Lowe, who oversees parks and open spaces for the council, said: “This is a really positive partnership initiative to reintroduce elm trees back into the Chorley landscape. The loss of the elm trees had a massive effect on the countryside nationwide but it’s good to know that groups such as the Lower Burgh Meadow Conservation Group are reintroducing them to ensure this traditional tree can flourish for generations to come.” Group members wish to thank Chorley Council for their support and donation of tree stakes, ties and compost. Group secretary Eddie Langrish gave the conservation group’s thanks to all who had donated to the project. This species of Elm tree looks like, grows and does everything the English Elm did. More importantly they will be a home for wildlife that specifically need Elm trees to help with their life cycle. It’s an achievement that Lower Burgh Meadows Conservation Group members can be proud of, the trees will be there for generations to come.
Click on pictures below to enlarge.
Group Members preparing the site before the Mayor arrives. Rosy Russell securing the plaque to the tree surround, in camouflage. Kath McHugh & Eddie Langrish piloting the stake hole.
Group members would like to thank The Worshipful the Mayor of Chorley, Councillor Doreen Dickinson for accepting our invitation to attend and plant the first Elm tree. Members were greatly impressed with her willingness to help out with the project.
Here are some more pictures from the project in Astley Park. John Cobham securing the tree stakes, members preparing the hole and everyone who attended with the Mayor.
Below are some pictures from when we planted the trees in Yarrow Valley Country Park.
The conservation project the group carried out can now be enjoyed by everyone who sees the trees. The wildlife species that use Elm in their life cycle will no doubt slowly return to the magnificent Elms in Astley Park & Yarrow Valley in the Borough of Chorley.