Wildlife lovers ensure 400 more saplings find new home in Morden Park

A tree planting was organised by Merton Friends of the Earth and the Merton Tree Wardens on Saturday in Morden Park.

Merton Friends of the Earth benefited from The Woodland Trust’s programme of supplying saplings for schools and community groups for free.

The trees planted in Morden Park were part of The Woodland Trust’s wildlife tree pack: hazel, silver birch, rowan, English oak, sessile oak and blackthorn trees.

This was the third tree planting by Merton Friends of the Earth in Morden Park, with the total number planted now exceeding 1,200 trees.

Many people volunteered on the day including nine schoolboys from King’s College school and Liberal Democrat councillor, Jenifer Gould, of Cannon Hill Ward, a strong advocate of protecting green spaces, representing Merton councillors.

Gabriel Partos, co-cordinator of Merton Friends of the Earth, said: “We were delighted to return to Morden Park to plant an additional 420 tree saplings, taking the total to over 1,200 trees planted to date since 2019.

“This project has been a true community effort in partnership with Merton Tree Wardens, Friends of Morden Park, help from our volunteers and trees donated by The Woodland Trust.

“It’s an ongoing project for us as we return along the year to care for these tree saplings by weeding and mulching the surrounding area to ensure these trees can grow and thrive.”

To contact Merton Friends of the Earth go to: Email: mertonfoe@gmail.com Website: mertonfoe.org or Tel. No: 07984 904484 to get involved.

Pictured top: Gabriel Partos, Cllr Jenifer Gould and Mariana Pacheco, co-cordinator of Merton Friends of the Earth (Picture: Auriel Glanville)