Planting trees, protecting our biodiversity

Planting native deciduous trees that will absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is a major element of the Going Carbon Neutral Project. The rule of thumb is that 16 trees absorb sufficient CO2 each year to make an 'average' person carbon neutral. So we are aiming to carry out planting in several areas to ensure our tree stock increased to at least 16000 specimens. In addition, we shall coppice our woodlands, providing fuel for people with woodburning stoves. Over time, we hope that the University will help us to clarify more accurately the effect that tree planting has on removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

We are keen to ensure that our planned tree planting programme does not destroy or damage the existing biodiversity of the village and surrounding areas. This is why, in early 2006, we shall be carrying out a biodiversity survey with the help of The University of Chester and local residents who are skilled in this type of survey work. The findings of our studies will be recorded on our project maps and also added to the regional biodiversity database that has been collated by rECOrd at Chester Zoo. RSK ENSR is helping us to plot and store data using its in-house Geographical Information System (GIS).

The Ashton Hayes Primary School children and residents are helping us to quantify the number of trees in the area that are less than 50 years old as, according to Forum for the Future, these trees can all be counted as part of our carbon sink. In addition we have a newly planted woodland in memory of Andrew Dobson, called Andrew's Wood, and this currently contains 5,800 saplings.

Andrew's Wood, opposite the Church, currently contains 5,800 newly planted trees and has pathways for visitors.

Further planting is also underway behind Lane End Farm, off Kelsall Road, where around 2000 trees have been planted in the past 10 years. This 3 acre area is now being coppiced to produce wood as a fuel. The owners have also constructed a temporary hut which we shall be using as a summer 'mini project conference centre' for our project!

Our summer 'mini project conference centre' at Land End Farm!

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