Tree planting undertaken by Bridgwater Town Council this financial year, April 2021 – March 2022
The Tree Panel members, David Mears (Town Clerk), Roy Cheek (horticulturalist), Councillors Kathy Pearce, Brian Smedley, Mick Lerry, and Suria Aujla meet on a regular basis to review and agree Tree Fund Applications. There has been 62 semi-mature new trees planted around Bridgwater, which include the following areas:
- Bristol Road Cemetery – 23 betula utilis ‘snowqueen’ (silver birch) and 4 pyrus calleryana (ornamental pear)
- Stafford Road Traingle – 1 cornus mas (cornelian cherry) and 1 ilex opaca (holly)
- Victoria Park – 4 prunus subhirtella ‘autmnalis rosea’ (ornamental cherry) and 2 cotoneaster cornubia
- Victoria Park Community Centre – 1 acacia dealbata
- Cranleigh Gardens – 5 prunus ‘kanzan’ (ornamental cherries), 4 prunus sargentii (ornamental cherries) and 3 hoheria sexstylosa
- Beckworth Close – ornamental cherries
- Stafford Road play area – 2 rowans and 1 field maple
- East Quay – 1 hoheria sextylosa
- Wills Road – 6 assorted woodland species – in conjunction with Sedgemoor District Council
Cllr Kathy Pearce (Climate Portfolio Holder) said “Tree coverage in Bridgwater is approx. 7%. This is considerably lower than the UK average of 13% and the EU average of 35%. Trees are essential for creating a healthier environment by filtering out harmful emissions from the air, and helping to prevent flooding by absorbing excess water through their roots. This is the reason Bridgwater Town Council’s Tree Fund has been an important part of the Town Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy”.
