New trees planted at the Bury Grounds

Three Rivers District Council officers, a team of local volunteers and Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Management Service’s conservation volunteers braved the rainy weather to plant a myriad of tree species across the Bury Grounds – a 4.2-hectare green space which once formed the grounds of the Bury House, the former manor house of the town.

The species of trees included Mulberry, Holme Oak, Irish Yew, Horse Chestnut, Lime, Yew, Scots Pine and Aspen. This diverse mix was chosen not only to boost biodiversity and reduce the effects of climate change at the site but also to reflect the Bury’s past as some of the ornamental species can be found in old photographs.

Most of the planting occurred at a cleared section of woodland, aiming to diversify the species composition and add succession to the habitat. Planting also took place within the garden area, where an avenue along the river was reinstated with the planting of Irish Yew and Horse chestnut, mimicking the original planting. A new mulberry tree was planted in response to the importance of this species being expressed through the recent public consultation.

The planting of the 50 trees marked the end of the first phase of the Bury Grounds Biodiversity Project, which was funded by Grundon through the Landfill Communities Fund and administered by Groundwork South.

This stage focused on enhancing biodiversity at the site by improving tree health, diversifying the woodland and protecting some of the heritage trees.

Emma Sheridan, Associate Director for Environment, said: “The Bury Grounds may be small, but it punches well above its weight, providing valuable habitats and biodiversity close to the town centre.

“The new trees will help wildlife to flourish further and capture carbon as they grow, helping us breathe cleaner air. A big thank you to the volunteers for joining us to plant these wonderful trees during the wet weather. I am sure they will be enjoyed by the generations to come.

“We are now in the process of preparing for the next phase of the project, which will involve river restoration on Taylors Cut, the river channel flowing through the site. More information on the project can be found here.”