Whitehouse Primary School, Newtownabbey
Date: 27 March 2007
No. of trees planted: 10
No. of people involved: 25
When we arrived in County Antrim with 10 native trees in the back of our van, different factors made the start of our penultimate tree planting for 2007 slightly uncertain. The planned construction of a new school building on the site limited our choice and neighbours, bothered by a line of existing trees blocking their light had expressed concern to the school about any new trees, caused a little confusion about where best to plant. Finally, we decided to extend an existing woodland edge.
In cooperation with the Northern Irish branch of the International Tree Foundation and with help from lovely Whitehouse Primary School pupils, we planted 10 tall rowan and birch trees.
Working in 5 very small groups, the planting session developed into a more intensive and interesting event. Being able to keep an eye on all of the kids, we got the chance to give them more responsibilities – digging the holes, using a bar to get through the stony ground and sawing off the stakes at the end – jobs usually carried out by us.
What a nice and easy day for the Northern Ireland Tree Campaign!