Let’s plant some trees and wildlife shrubs in Ilford this winter!

Ilford Transition Town is looking for volunteers to take part in planting wildlife shrubs in South Ilford.  It’s a practical, easy and loving way to bring wildlife to a densely packed urban area, and one of the least green parts of the whole borough of Redbridge.

Friday 7th December  10 am -12noon at St Lukes Children’s and Community Centre

We’ve ordered 50 saplings from the Mayor of London’s scheme offering free trees to community groups in London We’ve chosen the wildlife and shrubs pack

1. Hawthorn

1. Common Dogwood

2. Blackthorn

3. Goat Willow

4. Guelder Rose

These small trees have great benefits for attracting wildlife into Ilford and most also have herbal medicinal benefits.

Want to help plant them or look after them on a long term basis?  Just turn up on the day at St Luke’s Centre (google map link) or contact Peter from Ilford TT.  E: petermusgrave1950@gmail.com / M: 07943 986988 / T: 0207 041 7194

A bit more info on why we like the London Mayor’s scheme:

All have beautiful flowers after 2/3 years. Bees and butterflies love them, then birds and other invertebrates will come. This is great for South Ilford!

1. Blackthorn flowers first in March, before leaves come out – has sloe berries in Autumn

2. Hawthorn has leaves first, then flowers and red clusters of autumn berries

3. Dogwood has lovely red stems for winter display, with white flowers in spring –best to cut it in early summer to promote fresh shoots for vibrancy

4. Guelder Rose has lovely flowers and lovely berries

5. Goat willow has lovely catkins in spring . It grows fastest and would be best as a structural backdrop behind the other plants

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