The end of 2020 saw some positive developments in the Hereford Central Ward. Supported by Balfour Beatty, tree planting took place in Central Avenue and St Guthlacs by several Herefordshire Tree Forum members (Hereford in Bloom and Hereford City Tree Wardens) who together planted 28 trees to mark National Tree Week. Over the years, the Avenue and several adjacent streets had lost their original trees, so this was an opportunity to reinstate those felled or lost to disease and help to re-green the city. Hereford has only about 15% tree cover and a city of its size should, according to national analysis, be nearer 30%, so a long way to go, but a good start!
Down the road on the corner of Eign Road and Park Street, Hereford City Council’s Youth Council are busy turning a small area of green space owned by Herefordshire Council, into a mini community orchard and wildflower meadow framed by a new mixed native species hedgerow. This was also a Tree Week project, supported by local Tree Wardens, local apple expert, Robert Milne, and Ben Lea and volunteers from Close House. It is hoped it will also become a destination in the years to come for nature walks from the local primary, St James school.
