The transformation of waste ground along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown into a new woodland area, took another leap forward last week with the planting of around 850 trees.
Volunteers from a range of organisations came together to plant a variety of native species at Woodside Green, adding to the 1,200 trees which had already been planted at the site in April this year.
Local ABC Councillor Paul Duffy was among those who took his turn with the spade at the event which was organised in partnership between ABC Council’s Conservation Service, staff from NIE Networks, The Conservation Volunteers and a number of local community organisations.
Each year, NIE Networks are forced to cut back and cut down trees as part of the ongoing maintenance and safety of the electricity network. To offset the removal of these trees, NIE Networks is working with The Conservation Volunteers to offer free trees and planting support to schools and communities and will be planting around 14,000 young trees in locations across Northern Ireland during the 2024-2025 winter tree-planting season which runs until Springtime.
A variety of native species such as Alder, Downey Birch, Cherry, Aspen, Rowan, Oak and Willow were planted at Woodside Green and it is envisaged that the trees will enhance the area for the community as well as becoming an important habitat for local bird species and other wildlife.
ABC Council is delighted to be working in partnership with TCV and NIE Networks on this project and it is expected that more sites will be identified and planted out in the coming years as part of this joint work.
