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The British Isles are amongst the least wooded parts of Europe. We need to grow and plant trees to expand existing woods, to create new ones, and to green our urban areas. Propagating trees from locally gathered seed is the best way to produce new stock. Our natural woodland is a result of thousands of years of succession and natural selection. The trees of these woodlands are best adapted to the climate and soils of this country where they have evolved resistance to disease and fungal attack. An enormous variety of our plant and animal communities have evolved dependence on these trees. So planting native trees permits the conservation of a multitude of other living things. Tree nurseries are well suited to both primary and secondary schools as a means of involving pupils in practical conservation work. Whilst working on such a project children will begin to understand the time factor associated with growing trees and possibly appreciate the enormous damage vandalism does to them. Tree nursery work naturally leads on to tree planting, school nature areas and practical conservation in general. Also the involvement of the children in all stages of tree development from seed germination to planting out, gives them a good introduction to basic biology and allows them to make a very satisfying and personal contribution to conservation. All content copyright © 1986-2009 BTCV Ltd. Registered charity No. 261009 |
