Today (10 September), the locations and plans for blossom plantings in Newcastle, Nottingham and Plymouth, first announced in February, have been revealed.
The tree plantings are part of the National Trust and its partners’ ambition to create hundreds of blossom spaces in urban areas across England, Wales and Northern Ireland over the next five years, to ensure more people have access to nature and green spaces. The charity and its partners also hope to create a UK-equivalent of Japan’s world-famous Hanami (blossom viewing).
In Newcastle, Urban Green Newcastle, working in partnership with the City Council and NewcastleGateshead Initiative, will plant 26 ancient varieties of cherry blossom tree, Prunus ‘Tai-Haku’ trees – at Exhibition Park, an area on the outskirts of the city close to the University and the hospital. This variety was extinct in Japan at one point but was reintroduced from a specimen found in the UK in the 1930s. It is a beautiful tree, bearing white blossoms much larger than most ornamental trees, up to 6cm wide. It usually flowers in mid-April. The bronze foliage turns green in summer giving year-round interest.
The plans are for a double avenue ‘swirl’ of blossom trees by the lake with a circular pathway.
Work is expected to start in October and be completed by November to allow the trees to establish in time for their first blossom in April 2022.
Barbara Hooper, Director, Parks & Allotments at Urban Green Newcastle, said: “We are delighted to be part of this wonderful initiative, which will allow us to create a beautiful space in the heart of our park which will, we hope, evoke a sense of wellbeing and calm. The location of the blossom circle will provide a real focal point, giving visitors a natural place to stop and take a moment to contemplate and embrace nature.”
The National Trust has also confirmed 46 new blossom projects which will be planted on the land in its care across the country over the next few months.
All plantings will help towards the Trust’s ambitions to plant and establish 20 million trees by 2030 to help in the fight against climate change and to create more homes for nature. They will also help in its aim to tackle unequal access to green space across Britain and build on the importance given to green spaces and nature during lockdown when thousands found time spent in nature beneficial not just for their physical health but mental wellbeing too.
Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from towns, cities and local communities around the country after our first blossom garden was unveiled in London this year. Bringing more blossom to cities and to National Trust landscapes is an important part of our plans to plant 20 million trees, give more homes to nature and help people connect with nature wherever they are.
“This project goes back to our roots and one of our founders’ key desires – to ensure more people have beautiful spaces to enjoy.”
Funding for the projects in Newcastle, Nottingham and Plymouth has come in part from People’s Postcode Lottery.
Laura Chow, Head of Charities said: “We’re delighted funding raised by our players is supporting Blossom Together, an important initiative bringing people and communities together through nature spaces in Newcastle, Nottingham and Plymouth.
“It’s also fantastic to see and hear more about the creative ideas for projects at various National Trust places across the country – and we’re excited to see how these trees start to grow and bloom over the coming years, to bring joy to the many visitors of these places.”
For more information on the blossom projects visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blossom-together, or to make a donation to the charity’s tree planting ambitions visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/plant-a-tree