SCHOOL children have been helping to plant a new generation of trees at Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Quinta nature reserve.

The trees were funded through the Tesco Bags of Help Fund, where shoppers get to vote for their chosen local charity cause.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust was given £2,000, which they have used to buy 1,000 trees for the site.

“This work is part of our management plan at this reserve,” said Adam Linnet, volunteer co-ordinator (East Area) at Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

“During this project we have thinned out some of the mature trees to allow more light to reach the woodland floor.

“This will encourage the spread of woodland plants and allow the remaining trees to grow to their full potential and be as strong as possible.”

Some of the woodland plant species the Trust expect will now spread into the area include the yellow-flowering lesser celandine and wood avens, as well as woodland favourites bluebells and wood anemone.

The trees planted by pupils of Mablins Lane Community Primary School in Crewe, as well as the Trust’s volunteers, include hazel, holly, and hawthorn, which are not currently in the woodland.

Some oak, rowan, and silver birch trees, which represent the species already in the wood, have also been planted to make sure there are trees at a variety of ages to maintain the future of the woodland habitat.

“We hope the hazel, holly and hawthorn will form a shrub layer, meaning the woodland can host more species of invertebrate, birds and mammals, which will thrive on the seeds, berries and leaves of the new trees as they mature, as well as use the woodland for making nests and winter hibernation,” said Adam.

“The tree planting day at the Quinta was a great opportunity for us to inspire the next generation of nature conservationists,” said Nick Rowles, People and Wildlife Officer at Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

“Our year 4 children had a super day tree planting and can’t wait to come back in the near future to see how the trees are growing,” said Jenny Wagstaffe, Deputy Head Teacher, at Mablins Lane Community Primary School.