Tag: trees

  • Marking a community’s deep-rooted love for its trees

    Last weekend our community’s love for its trees was transferred into some very real results which will benefit our village for years to come. Amanda Borrill catches up with Dan Mace, the man at the root of so much of our village’s greenery, to hear more.

    The weekend of 1-2 March was a big one for our village tree population as the community came together to demonstrate, in very practical terms, their value to the people of Histon & Impington.

    Histon & Impington Parish Council donated most of the trees for planting, with a further three gifted by South Cambs District Council. Helping to plant them were a range of village-based groups; ably led by Dan Mace (well known for his work with Community Orchard/HI Trees) and assisted by Daphne Fisher.

    New growth at The Coppice

    Starting things off on Saturday, were residents of The Coppice who were keen to replace some of the diseased trees that had been removed recently, including the magnificent beech that used to grow at the road entrance. The first tree to be planted was a native oak, near the site of the removed beech. “Over the years this should grow into a wonderful tree, at least as impressive as the tree it is replacing”, explained Dan. The residents then moved on to a clearing at the Southern end of The Coppice, created by the removal of more diseased trees, and planted two hazels and a hornbeam.

    Coppice resident Stephanie Norris said, “the residents were sad to see the removal of the diseased beech tree at the entrance to The Coppice, so we were delighted to help plant a new native oak tree as a replacement. We’re looking forward to watching it grow over the coming years.”

    Across the community

    Sunday morning saw Dan, Daphne and Daphne’s family plant a Summer Sun Cherry near the War Memorial. “This English cherry produces large black fruit in July – either local residents or the birds should enjoy the fruit from this tree in the future”, added Dan.
    And, next on the list was Clay Close Lane where the tree planters put in a Norway Spruce and Scots Pine. “It was really great to see local people – both adults and children – taking pride in their green spaces and planting trees for generations to come”, Daphne enthused.

    Last, but most certainly not least, came Manor Field. “The Cubs did a fantastic job at Manor Field”, smiled Dan. “There are no plans to turn Manor Field into a forest, but we are planting a few specimen trees, well-spaced across the field. This is the third year the Cubs have planted trees on Manor Field – this year they planted three native hornbeams and replaced a silver birch that had died last summer.

    Planting for future generations

    “The Cubs are super-enthusiastic, ask loads of great questions and, at about 8-years old, stand a good chance of being able to return to the trees when they’re fully grown in decades to come”, reflected Dan wistfully. “I probably won’t live to see these trees fully grown, but hopefully the Cubs will. Of course, at 8 years old it is hard to imagine being as old as 58, so they settled for returning on their 18th birthdays to enjoy the shade of the trees they’ve planted,” he laughed.

    Cub leader Maria was delighted that there was another opportunity for the Cubs to plant trees, and she and Dan are already starting to think about their planting plans for next year.

    “It was a great weekend”, Dan shared, “and it was amazing to be able to plant a few trees right across the village. Huge thanks go to both our Parish and District Councils for funding these”.

    Gallery of photos from across the weekend. All permissions given. Photos copyright Dan Mace.

    Get in touch

    Tree planting season is over for this year, but Dan is keen to continue to help with further tree planting in 2026. If you know of somewhere that would benefit from some new trees, please do get in touch with Dan directly.

    Email Dan Mace at dan.r.mace@gmail.com. Read more about the Community Orchard here and explore HI Trees here.

    READ ALSO: HI Trees introduce the mulch-o-meter for community tree care day and Planting for Posterity

  • Nine more trees to be felled at Homefield Park

    A diseased tree that fell across a fence and footpath in Homefield Park, damaging two properties, has prompted a further review of the health of other trees in the area.

    The tree was suffering from honey fungus disease, which would not have been visible before it fell, but the review has found that six sycamores nearby are dead or dying from sooty bark disease and must be removed.

    An arboricultural expert has indicated that the removal of those trees will expose three more sycamores located near the fence line, properties and footpaths to winds, making them more liable to fall. They too are likely to succumb to sooty bark disease at some point, and their removal is also being recommended.

    Other trees in the area could be allowed to grow into the space, and the site could be replanted, potentially with disease resistant trees.

    Nesting season concerns

    This latest blow to the landscape of Homefield Park follows a tree felling programme that began in 2023.

    The new work, which will cost up to £9,000, must be done as soon as possible due to the potential dangers to the public and the likelihood that the diseased trees would spread sooty bark disease to others.

    This means, like other urgent work on the site done in 2024,  it is likely to take place during the bird nesting season.

    As the nine trees earmarked for removal are all covered by a Tree Protection Order, consultations may be needed with both residents and the ‘tree officer’ at South Cambs Council. Permission for the work from South Cambs is likely to take 6-8 weeks , which would run into the start of the bird nesting season.

    The Parish Council has pledged that “All necessary checks would be taken to ensure there were no nesting birds or other issues, and work would not proceed if anything was found”.

  • Tree Pruning

    If you’re interested in learning how to prune fruit trees, then there is a pruning session at the Community Orchard from 10am on Saturday 11th March.

    We’ll teach you all you need to know, and you can have a practice on the trees at the orchard. It’s a good opportunity to learn this skill.

    You’ll need:

    • Secateurs (essential)
    • Pruning saw (only if you have one)
    • Your own drinks and snacks.

    Please message me if you want to take part. danrmace@gmail.com

  • Winter Wassail

    Winter Wassail

    Histon and Impington Community Orchard Project (HICOP) is holding a Winter Wassail on Saturday 25th February from 5pm at the Community Orchard.

    Once again we will gather to wake the trees from their Winter slumber and sing a toast to the apple trees in our Community Orchard.

    Bring lanterns and torches, pots, pans and spoons to bang to wake the trees, and your singing voices to join in with the Impingtones. And ribbons too if you want to gently tie them around the trees.

    Light refreshments available – please bring your own mug if you can.

  • Tree Planting

    Tree Planting

    HI Trees Action Group are providing another tree planting opportunity at 10am on Saturday 12th March.

    The aim is to plant 80-150 trees on the North side of the village – creating two mini-woodlands. The sites are 1-1.5km from the nearest parking so you’ll need to be able to walk that far to take part. Please bring your own spade – trees will be provided.

    For more information, see the HI Trees Facebook page.

  • Green Canopy Talk

    On Tuesday 6th July 8.00pm Dan Mace will talk on Zoom about why we should plant trees, what we’ve done in Histon and Impington over the years, and our plans for the future. He’ll highlight the Feast Week Green Canopy survey as they want to know where you think new trees could be planted.

    Zoom Details
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86010341808?pwd=clVRQTNXTVFHbVVQQ2p6T1JDMkVFQT09
    Meeting ID: 860 1034 1808
    Passcode: 340105

  • Plant a tree and help create our very own green canopy

    Plans are afoot to create our very own Green Canopy and HI Trees, the group behind the mission, needs your help. Dan Mace and Amanda Layzell explain how we can all play our part in this long-term initiative.

    Is there a place in the village that holds a cherished memory for you – perhaps of a special person or a significant time in your life? Planting a tree can be a wonderful way to commemorate a happy time or much loved person in your life – past or present. Let’s plant more trees in Histon and Impington and create our very own Green Canopy.

    Trees and hedgerows benefit us and the environment in so many ways.

    • Woodland provides a home for a wide range of birds, mammals and shade-loving plants and fungi. A single tree can support many species of birds, insects and plants – one tree can attract as many as 280 species of insects.
    • Hedgerows are important as they can connect areas of rich biodiversity; they are the highways of nature, and are particularly important for flying insects like butterflies, and also for hedgehogs and other small mammals.
    • Trees absorb CO2 and so can help reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere.  A mature tree can remove 21kg of CO2 from the atmosphere per year.
    • Woodland is not just beneficial for wildlife.  Walking through woods can lower your blood pressure and reduce stress levels. Research suggests that patients with views of trees heal faster and with fewer complications.

    But where could we plant these much needed trees?  During Feast Week, and into the future, community group HI Trees will be seeking your thoughts and asking out across the community of Histon and Impington for ideas. Maybe there is a piece of green space outside your house that would benefit from a specimen tree?  Or, perhaps you have spotted somewhere on your local walk where a few trees, a copse or some hedging could be planted? 

    A local example of a glorious Green Canopy : Women’s Institute Woods near the guided busway. Photo Dan Mace

    The HI Trees team has prepared an online form which you can access here. The system is ready to go so you can complete it now if you have a suggestion. Alternatively, look out for paper copies of the forms available from 26 June onwards at St Andrew’s Cafe, Print-Out, Station Stores and the Parish Council Offices. This is a long-term initiative and support of the community will be vital to make it a success.

    In order to purchase these trees and hedges, the team will be seeking funding. Perhaps you could sponsor a tree? Sponsoring a tree is the perfect gift – a gift that will continue to grow over years to come, a gift that is ecologically sensitive and a gift that brings joy to the whole village. It will also provide a home for a multitude of nature – what more perfect gift is there than that!

    On Tuesday 6 July at 8pm, HI Trees will be hosting a Zoom meeting to talk in more detail about this initiative.  Hosted by Dan Mace, he’ll talk more about why we should plant trees, what has been done in the village so far, and what more can be done. If you want to fully participate in the talk, you will need to take along a bar of chocolate – any bar will do, just make sure you know how much it weighs!

    Dan Mace

    Currently there is a national ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee’ campaign being coordinated by Executives of the Government and the charity Cool Earth called the Queen’s Green Canopy. This national project will see all counties of the UK being invited to create a network of individual or specimen trees, tree avenues, copses and woodlands in honour of Her Majesty’s 70 years of service to the Nation so our community project is in very good company. 

    If you have any questions, or need any further information, please contact Dan Mace on dan.r.mace@gmail.com

    Useful References

    Why are Trees Important for Biodiversity? – Woodland Trust

    Trees for Wildlife | www.gardenorganic.org.uk  Number of insects an oak supports.

    How much CO2 does a tree absorb? | Viessmann   CO2 absorption per tree.

    Online calculator shows how trees improve air quality and reduce health costs | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology  Calculator for improvements resulting from tree planting.

    The value of different tree species for insects and lichens (countrysideinfo.co.uk)
    A single tree can support 30 to almost 300 species of insect.

    Even 1 tree adds biodiversity to in-between areas – Futurity
    A single tree planted in pasture can increase the number of bird species from near 0 to 80 (Costa Rica).

    Previously on HI HUB:

    Building back better as HI Trees shape our future landscape