Community helps create new mini forest in Elson

Green-fingered children in Elson have helped to create a new mini forest of trees for their community.

Gosport Borough Council received funding through the Hampshire Forest Partnership to plant around 1,600 new trees at Elson Recreation Ground.

Boys and girls from Elson Primary School, 6^th Gosport Scout Group, and Gosport South Girl Guiding got to work to plant them over two days, helped by residents, councillors and council staff.

Together they planted around ten different varieties including Hazel, Field Maple, Sweet Chestnut, Goat Willow and Whitebeam, as well as fruit trees Cherry Plum and Crab Apple.

Gosport Borough Council leader Cllr Peter Chegwyn took part and said:

"What's nice is this mini forest has been created by the community, for the community, and it's great that so many local children were involved.

"The council strongly supports projects to increase the number of trees, which bring so many benefits. Trees provide natural environments for birds and other wildlife, improve green spaces which are so important for people's wellbeing, and have important climate benefits too."

Temporary fencing has been put up before permanent chestnut paling fencing is erected to provide protection for the trees as they grow.

It's the latest mini forest to be created in Hampshire, supporting Hampshire County Council's pledge to have a million new trees planted across the county by 2050.

Find out more: Mini forests | Environment | Hampshire County Council

Published: 1 April 2025