Vegas comes to Sutton Manor

When the Sutton Manor community decided they wanted trees in their streets they never thought they'd be the inspiration for the filming of a new drama staring a local man called Johnny Vegas.

The Mersey Forest have now planted 92 trees in the streets, and green spaces around Sutton Manor in south St Helens making the area even more attractive to visitors to the nearby Dream Sculpture.

Spring Arrives Early in Sutton Manor

With snowdrops and crocii pushing up through the grass verges, the arrival of 73 new street trees in the streets of Sutton Manor is a welcome sign of spring.The trees a mixture of non fruiting ornamental Pear,Mountain Ash,Cherry and suitably located larger shade trees will make the streets more pleasent areas for walking and cycling to local green spaces such as Sutton Manor home of the Dream Sculpture and the recently improved King George V Playing Fields where an additional 16 American Lime and London Plane trees have been planted to complement 14 Limes planted last year.

Watch this space for an announcement on the forthcoming planting events in the park in March 2012.

First of 80 trees planted in Sutton Manor

As soon as tree pits were dug the trees pictured arrived and were planted out to brighten the streets of Sutton Manor.Over 75 trees will soon adorn the streets and green spaces of Sutton Manor planted by contractor Blakedown Landscapes.The Mersey Forest is planting trees across Merseyside as part of the Big Tree Plant initiative funded by DEFRA and the Setting The Scene For Growth programme funded through The Forestry Commission.
Get down to your local park at King George V Playing Fields to see the new trees and to access The Dream Sculpture nearby.

Tennants of Registered Provider's for housing, Riverside and Helena Partnerships will benefit from newly greened streets and green spaces helping make recreation a local issue!

Park Improvements to boost tourism in area

Over the next two months, The Mersey Forest, in collaboration with St Helens Council will be making minor improvements to King George V Playing Fields. It is intended to encourage more people to use the park and other local green spaces and attractions in the area, and to make the park itself more welcoming.

These works include the planting of bulbs ,improved access from the car park, painting of fencing, more avenue trees and the creation of small coppice areas and seasonal wildflower planting. Both local community groups and schools have been (bulb planting and ceramic tile designs) and will be involved in activities around these works.

This will makes it easier to access areas like The Dream Sculpture and eventually the newly wooded Lord St Helens tip site, or Brickfields, and encourage residents and visitors to walk and cycle more.

The proposals will not affect existing football pitches and warm up areas alongside these.

These improvements are funding by Cory Environmental Trust’s Landfill Communities Fund, Access to Nature funding from Natural England and The Big Lottery, Setting The Scene For Growth funding through the Forestry Commission and The Big Tree Plant assisted by The Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods programme.

Consultation Event at Shining Lights Centre Sutton Manor

How to get there!
This Wednesday 5-7 p.m.

New funding for street trees in Sutton Manor

Funding from the Northwest Regional Development Agency through the Forestry Commission's Setting The Scene For Growth programme has been secured by The Mersey Forest Green Streets initiative to bring 65 park, verge and pavement trees to Sutton Manor.

Ben Greenaway Green Streets Coordinator said 'these trees will bring greenery to an area lacking in street greenery and will link residents through green routes to their locally improved green spaces such as King George V fields and Sutton Manor home of The Dream'.

'Together with newly greened Lord St Helens local residents will eventually have access to a large network of accessible green space.This has got to be good for the health and well being of residents of south St Helens as well as visitors to the area'!

New Trees Boost Activity in Parks

The planting of 14 new extra heavy standard trees in King George V Playing Fields at Sutton Manor in St Helens has seen visitor numbers increase.The trees Common Limes have been chosen because they will grow to a large size offering shade and colour across the park.

The installation of the trees alongside children's play equipment and a teen shelter has boosted numbers considerably.By linking green spaces through green route ways such as Sutton Manor with its iconic Dream Sculpture and Brickfields with its views across the brickworks to the soiled up and soon to be greened landfill site this extends the possibility of walking and cycling across the Bold Parish area for residents of Four Acre, Sutton and further afield in St Helens and Merseyside.

Ben Greenaway Green Streets Coordinator for The Mersey Forest who organised the planting said

'by planting large leaved large stature trees we can contribute to making the long walk across the park seem like a short distance by providing a greater sense of scale to the wide open landscape.As well as providing much needed colour to the park the trees will cool the air on hot days and provide welcome shade for older residents who can see long distances without a break a daunting prospect'.

Large leaved trees are best when helping us adapt to climate change by cooling and shading.Research at Manchester University has recently shown that trees planted in grassed areas have a dramatic cooling effect on their surrounding but even better news is that trees in paved areas can cool by up to 5 degrees celcius making our living environment more relaxing on hot days.

Its Time To Start Watering Your Trees

Four Acres residents

Thank you for requesting a tree outside or near your property. We both want your tree to grow strong and be healthy so you can enjoy the foliage and flowers in years to come. We are very responsive to your concerns, so please call if any changes occur to your tree.

Frequently asked Questions:

Q- Leaves are falling off the tree and some of them are brown. What do I do?

A- When trees are lacking water the leaves with first begin to curl and then fall off. This is a sign of not enough water.

Q- Leaves are turning yellow and falling off the tree. What do I do?

A- This is a case of too much water. This is the most damaging of all sometimes irreversible. Stop watering immediately and call The Mersey Forest.

Q- What can I do to help my tree?

A- Watering the tree during the hotter days will help it establish more quickly.

Q- What is the best way to water my trees?

A- The best way is the use a 4 litre milk bottle to carry water and a 2L pop bottle cut off 3 inches from the bottom.(you can use scissors - ask an adult) Sink a small hole around 6 inches deep into the tree pit ( house side to edge of pit) and push the pop bottle into it. Pour water into the wider open end of the bottle. It will let water out slowly and you can monitor how much water the tree is receiving. The recommended amount of water during each watering is 20 gallons however our contractor will turn up to deliver these amounts on an occasional basis so for you to help smaller amount of 2/4 L is adequate once a week or so.(Remember to back fill the hole afterwards) DO NOT STAND ON THE ROADSIDE.

Q- Can I plant up around my street tree?

A- Yes bedding plants, climbing plants like Morning Glory work well. No large shrubs.

Q- Can I use my water butt to water the trees?

A- Yes, this is ideal for both your garden and for your street tree

Q. How often do I water my trees?

A- Remember to always look at the trees leaves before you water. This is the best way to know if you are over or under watering your trees. Over watering is the most damaging to your tree.

Please remember to water your trees only when they are in leaf or flower! Avoid windy days and watering in full sun. Early mornings or evenings are best.

Thank you. Should you have any questions please feel free to call The Mersey Forest on 01925 816 217or e mail ben@merseyforest.org.uk .We can pass on small maintenance issues to the contractor or if you need to report damage contact St Helens Council Tree Officers through 01744 676789.

Landscape Contractor Appointed

North of England based landscape contractor, Blakedown Landscapes has been appointed to deliver the Green Streets project around Four Acre St Helens.The work involves the excavation of over 80 tree pits and the planting of extra heavy standard trees of about 3-4m in height.

The trees, planted in pavements,verges and in the local park -King George V Playing Fields, will give a sense of instant impact to the streets.

Bright green guards will protect the trees from accidental damage from cars whilst allowing the clearance of litter or debris build up around the tree.

Residents will be encouraged to plant up around the trees with bulbs or small flowering plants.

The contract is estimated to take around 3 weeks to complete in readiness for spring bud break when trees burst into life!

Your Questions answered on Street Trees

Click image to enlarge

Four Acres - Your streets with trees and a few flowers

For those around Four Acre who are being consulted on our latest round of planting here are some streets with trees using our software

www.visualise2d.com

Can you recognise where they are taken. Flower pots are not provided as part of the scheme but you can take part in planting events.

No prizes for spotting the elephant!

Green Streets Four Acre Sutton Manor and Lea Green plans announced

A visualisation using Visualise2D of how Jubits Lane might look with trees planted as you approach the Smithy Manor public house from the M62 Junction 7.

Here's a map of the delivery areas and some explanation of the work. Green Streets aims to link residential and business development areas to areas of the 'forest park' through using street trees as natural signposting to local green spaces.

The Mersey Forest has announced its ambitious plans for a Green Streets delivery across south St Helens in order to meet the ever increasing demand for street trees in the area.

To find out more follow this blog which will keep you posted of developments as they happen!!