Volunteers sought to save saplings

The helpers are needed to mulch nearly 1,100 trees planted last winter to stop their roots drying out in the hot weather.

Arun District Council chairman Cllr Graham Tyler will be leading by example at Bersted Brooks north of Rowan Way between 10.45am and 1pm next Thursday, May 31.

His theme for his year in office is to raise the profile of volunteers. The session will see him joined by Bersted tree wardens and the Friends of Bersted Brooks.

But more people are needed to help the new trees survive their first year. Some, such as the black poplar, are really rare.

'The two-day tree planting was a real opportunity for local people to play a part in creating this new woodland,' said Cllr Tyler.

'I hope many of them will come out again and help mulch these trees to give them the very best chance of survival.

'This sort of event is what my year in office is all about. Without the huge numbers of people volunteering, this country would collapse.

'Please, if you can spare an hour, come along and help out.'

The district council was awarded a 30,520 grant from the Forestry Commission to create the woodland on public open space. Nearly 800 trees were planted by volunteers last December. The rest were dug in by the council's contractor.

The grant will be provided during seven years to establish 11 acres of riverine woodland. This is a rare and important habitat. Trees selected are all native broadleaf species such as common alder, oak, black poplar, ash and white willow.