I Spy a Live Christmas Tree…

I Spy a Live Christmas Tree…

You may have spotted some new green additions throughout some wards in Pontypool and District.

On Thursday 24th and Friday 25th October, 16 living Christmas trees were planted in areas throughout the District, marking the first step in future-proofing living Community Christmas Trees throughout the areas served by Pontypool Community Council.

As part of the Community Council’s aims to keep striving for more sustainable ways of working across all its strands of work, work began early in the year to bring this project to fruition and we’re pleased to share with you the journey up til now…

From a vast “wish list” of potential locations including locations of previous cut trees, during the year these sites were painstakingly whittled down to the final 16 locations based on:

  • Desirable Community Location
  • Ecological Suitability
  • Landownership & Permissions

  • Torfaen Services such as Highways and Streetscene
  • Utility Checks, including Water and sewerage

Nurseries and Garden Centres, near and far, were contacted for quotes to find a suitable company that could deliver the project: providing the trees, transporting, planting and support. Options were considered and decisions made at September’s Full Council.

The team at Jackson’s Nursery set to work allocating suitable trees from their plantation, ensuring the health and size of tree would meet the needs of this long-term project.

The trees were carefully dug up in readiness, and then transported to Pontypool in the early hours of Thursday 24th October. Prioritising the shortest window between the transplantation helps keep the roots happy and healthy.

Over two days, the team visited each site. Final checks were carried out before digging a hole deep enough for the roots, but small enough as to have the smallest impact on the original environment.

With such a tight schedule, actual digging was of course left to the professionals at Jackson’s Nurseries, but our Community Councillors and Chair Caroline Price came out to support the work and see the final results, not forgetting the mandatory shovel selfie!

And here’s the final map to find your closest Live Community Christmas Tree

Wait a minute…I count 17 on that map?!

As part of the project, we have also been able to support an existing mature tree at Garndiffatih Millennium Hall and will be including this in our plans.

Now the trees are planted and settling in to their new forever home, the Community Council are exploring options for solar lights and maybe even a “Best Decorated Community Tree” competition.

A Big Diolch to all the many supporters and community who continue to make this project possible!

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