Tree & hedge planting at Showground

Hundreds of volunteers are getting ready to don their outdoor gear and pick up a spade on Wednesday, December 16 at Westpoint, Exeter – the home of the Devon County Show.

During the 10^th annual hedge and tree planting day they will be battling against the elements to plant a further 1,500 shrubs and 25 trees on the 160 acre site.

This year they’re joined in their campaign to green up Westpoint by new sponsor Tubex, who are donating rabbit protection and tree shelters for the immature plants.

Simon White, Commercial director of Tubex, said: “We are proud to be sponsoring an event that celebrates country life. For more than 20 years we have helped establish many trees in Devon and the South West area, and by sponsoring the tree and hedge planting campaign we continue to show our commitment to the environment.”

To date 16,000 shrubs and 270 trees have been planted at Westpoint making the site, especially the car parks, look more attractive and provide a valuable habitat for wildlife.  

Mervyn Hosking, Chief Executive of the Devon County Agricultural Association, said the campaign was a partnership effort:  “Each year we have been fortunate to have the plants sponsored by the International Tree Foundation, whose support is very much appreciated. 

“Now we are delighted to be forming a close relationship with Tubex which has kindly agreed to sponsor the products needed to protect young plants from the elements and animals.”

The British Trust Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), International Tree Foundation (ITF), members of the Devon County Show Woodland Committee and volunteers from the Show offices will be wielding the spades to plant the shrubs and trees.

Paul Humphries, member of the Devon branch of the International Tree Foundation, said: “Our long term involvement has allowed us to provide many thousands of young trees, which is now showing results not only from the trees, with the foliage of the many different species adding to the overall beauty of the site but through the wildlife, insect species, bird life and other plant life  that has repopulated the showground.

“A major bi product of the tree planting has been noise and wind reduction over the site and the ability to manage the many thousands of vehicles that visit every year.

The ITF is a registered charity that has been planting, preserving and promoting tress throughout the world since 1927.”

The Devon branch of the ITF is the largest in the country and has an active membership involved in planting, protecting and preserving trees and in education.

The native species include hawthorn, hazel, holly, dog rose, dogwood, birch, rowan and wild cherry. 

Recent Forestry Commission research recommended that millions of trees should be planted to cover an extra four per cent of the UK in order to tackle climate change.

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