Planting begins on forest project
Hundreds of lime trees are being planted to mark a historic anniversary and make a green commitment for the future.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is planting 850 lime trees, plus other broadleaf species, to create a commemorative Lyme Forest to mark the 850 anniversary of the granting of the Borough’s first Royal Charter.
Once planted, Lyme Forest will form part of the area’s mosaic of green spaces to support nature and help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
Newcastle is inextricably linked with its medieval heritage, taking its name from the huge Lyme forest which once dominated the region.
This initiative to plant 850 lime trees to create a new forest in the year of our 850 anniversary is both symbolic of our proud heritage and planning for the future in the knowledge that Lyme Forest will provide a protected area of green space for future generations.”
Creation of the forest on the northern boundary of the former Keele Golf Course in Silverdale is being supported by a range of sponsors.
The Forest of Lyme was once said to span parts of Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire, so that when the ‘new’ castle was built in the 1140s by the Normans the surrounding area took its name from both that and the nearby landmark forest.
In 1173 Newcastle-under-Lyme was granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation by King Henry II, making it a borough and allowing a regular market to be held.
Now, 850 years later, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is coordinating a year-long celebration of the historic anniversary, including the creation of Lyme Forest.
As well as three species of lime trees native to the UK, field maple, cherry, rowan and oak will also be planted as part of the deciduous forest.
Simon Tagg added:
The journey towards achieving a carbon-neutral Borough by 2050 requires many steps towards that target and the planting of several hundred trees helping capture and recycle carbon dioxide is part of that process.
Lime trees can live for up to 400 years, so over time Lyme Forest will form a haven for nature and become part of our network of protected community green spaces.”