Colne Valley Tree Society ploughs on through the snow
Dec 7 2010 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Colne Valley Tree Society ploughs on through the snow
VOLUNTEERS were out planting trees in the freezing weather at the weekend.
Fourteen members of Colne Valley Tree Society were hard at work in the snow on Saturday morning as National Tree Week came to an end.
The volunteers are planting 2,000 oak and ash trees on two acres of Kirklees Council-owned land at Fieldhouse Drive in Slaithwaite.
They were joined on Saturday morning by 11th Huddersfield Scouts based in Outlane.
Organiser Guy Thompson said it would take more than a bit of snow to keep them away.
“The only time you can’t plant is when the ground is frozen,” he said.
“If you’ve got the right clothing there’s no weather you can’t work in.”
National Tree Week, when the public are encouraged to get planting, ended yesterday.
But the Colne Valley Tree Society, which was formed in 1964, is out working every weekend between November and April.
Mr Thompson said: “Lots of people talk about the problems of climate change, our group quietly gets on with a long-lasting solution.
“Trees act as oxygen providers, wildlife habitats, a source of wood energy and reduce the risk of flooding by making the ground more absorbent,” he added.
“We may not be able to stop climate change happening, but we can certainly help our local environment adapt to it.”
And the society is looking for help with its next project – planting 19,000 trees next to Scammonden Water from January.
Colne Valley Tree Society has written to community organisations across the Colne Valley asking for their help with the three-year programme, which is part of the Trees for Yorkshire campaign.
Mr Thompson said: “There’s an opportunity for other community-minded people to leave a lasting legacy by helping us to create a substantial new community woodland on our doorstep.”
For more information about the tree society visit www.colnevalleytreesociety.blogspot.com or call secretary Simon Lyes on 07963 372 822.
For more information about the Trees for Yorkshire Campaign visit www.whiteroseforest.org.uk or call 07720 414 356.
