Ahead of Earth Day on April 22, Ewelme Sporting a local family-run sports and activity company, has successfully planted 478 trees in a major commitment to environmental protection.
This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support the local environment and promote wildlife preservation. The tree-planting project, which took place over two weeks, was spearheaded by George Wallis, the Founder of Ewelme Sporting. As part of the company’s commitment to enhancing the local ecosystem and environment, Ewelme Sporting partnered with The Chilterns View to plant trees along the Bridleway, named Swans Way, to improve the area's aesthetic appeal.
The species of trees chosen for the project were selected based on their ability to thrive in the local climate, support biodiversity, and provide wildlife habitat and much-needed shade to local walkers. George Wallis carefully researched and hand-picked 13 different species of trees to plant in selected locations in Ewelme that would be optimal for environmental restoration, carbon, and noise reduction.
Ewelme Sporting has planted the following number of trees:
- 50 Abies nordmanniana (Christmas Tree) Norway Spruce
- 50 Pinus sylvestris Scotts Pine
- 50 Corylus avellana Pheasant - hazel
- 50 Ligustrum ovalifolium Pheasant - privet
- 50 Abies nordmanniana (Christmas Tree)
- 50 Picea abies
- 25 Picea abies Nordman Fir
- 25 Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir
- 25 Betula pendula Birch
- 25 Quercus robur Oak
- 25 Symphoricarpos alba Pheasant - Snowberry
- 25 Castanea sativa
- 25 Prunus avium
- 3 Giant Sequoia
475 trees planted along Swans Way
In addition to planting trees along the Bridleway and Swans Way, Ewelme Sporting have also planted three Giant Sequoia trees in the soon-to-be Ewelme Dog Field. A new three-acre field soon to be open to the public, for those wanting to train working dogs with a variety of dog agility activities.
George Wallis, Founder of Ewelme Sporting, said: “By planting these trees alongside the Bridleway and Swans Way, we’re creating a biodiverse landscape which will provide many benefits including creating healthy soil, storing carbon and supporting wildlife to thrive. We are also aware that this area of the Chilterns is protected by AONB and is particularly popular for local walkers, so we wanted to make sure that we could increase the community’s green space and create a positive impact on both the environment and residents.”
Centuries of deforestation have left the UK one of the least forested nations in Europe and the previous Government’s tree-planting initiative fell so far short of their targets that they failed to plant an area of forest nearly equivalent to the size of Birmingham. Yet, tree planting can help the country meet its climate targets by removing CO2, improving biodiversity, and providing protection from flooding.
As part of its commitment to the environment, Ewelme Sporting plans to continue its efforts in the coming years, with more tree-planting initiatives, and community engagement projects to further benefit the local area and help the new government meet its climate targets. Ewelme Sporting have also promised that once the Christmas Trees planted have grown to a height of around 5-6ft they will be donating one tree every year to the local primary school in Ewelme which George attended.
George Wallis adds: “We are all well aware of the climate emergency and the nature crisis we are facing, so to be able to take action and do something that will have a positive outcome, as well as provide beautiful, inspiring places for people to spend time makes me very happy. Some of the trees we have planted, particularly Oak and Giant Sequoia, will be here for many many generations.”
George and Ted Wallis planting one of three Giant Sequoia trees
For more information on Ewelme Sporting’s environmental projects or to get involved in future initiatives, visit https://www.ewelmesporting.co.uk/ or contact: ewelmesporting@gmail.com.