Eden community tree nursery: Good things come in trees
Part of project: Community
Thanks to National Lottery Players and Eden District Council, in October 2022 Eden Rivers Trust took control of a plot of land on an allotment in Penrith. The dream? To create a community tree nursery that would open a doorway to conservation; a place accessible to all, where local people, volunteers and community groups could learn about trees and the river and work together; growing and nurturing locally-sourced seeds.
The resulting native saplings will be planted on river conservation sites throughout the Eden catchment; creating food and homes for wildlife; helping manage the flow of water over land and storing carbon.
Follow our progress with Jenni (Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator) and the volunteers and community groups who are embarking on this adventure with us.
Latest news
Thanks to the hard work and unwavering support of our volunteers, allotment 99 has been transformed from an unloved patch of land into a thriving, bustling community tree nursery! The wheelchair-friendly path has been laid (and tested!), new drainage and a pond dug, a wet-weather shelter/bag store built, beautiful willow fence created … oh, and some trees are now growing too!
We’ve welcomed community and youth groups to the tree nursery to introduce them to the joys of tree-growing, nature and rivers.
We’re delighted that the Garfield Weston Foundation and Penrith Town Council have recently come on board to help support the tree nursery in 2024 and beyond and we’re busy cultivating plans for next year to implement and promote sustainable water use on the site and run a programme of learning experiences all around ‘Year of the Tree’.
2023 photo album
Feb 2023: New drainage going in
April 2023: It's fun laying Easy-Pave (cardboard used as a base for weed control)
April 2023: Our volunteers making a song and dance about laying Easy-Pave
April 2023: 'river of stones' at the front of the nursery.
May 2023: Water butts and planting at the tree nursery.
May 2023: trees growing at the nursery
May 2023: Jenni tending to seedlings,
Sept 2023: Volunteers preparing ground for trees.
May 23: Local allotment holders and growers bearing gifts for our open day!
May 23: Saplings growing well!
Oct 2023: Students from Ullswater Community College enjoying some planting.
Oct 2023: Testing out the finished Easy-Pave accessible path.
Oct 2023: A view through the nursery.
Oct 2023: Shed extension built by the talented volunteer Andy Tomlinson, helped by the others!
2022 photo album
Oct 2022: Welcome to the tree nursery!
Oct 2022: Volunteers hard at work clearing the site
Oct 2022: Our 'river' ready for planting
Nov 2022: Rear of the tree nursery. Photo: Ben Challis
Nov 2022: The back fence was a bit of an eyesore. So the volunteers took charge ...
Nov 2022: ... and now, the brand-new, hand-made pallet fence gets a coat of wood stain.
Nov 2022: Volunteers clearing the site
Nov 2022: Seed tray made by ERT volunteer, Andy
Nov 2022: Our talented volunteers made a potting table
Nov 2022: Planting already! Photo: Ben Challis
Nov 2022: The neighbours are keeping a close eye on developments
Dec 22: The tree nursery volunteer team!
Dec 22: Volunteers from PPM helping to paint accessible potting benches.
Dec 22: Staff from local company, PPM Ltd come along to lend a hand.
Dec 22: Building accessible potting benches from wooden pallets
Dec 22: ERT's Anna Holliday showing off her willow wreath frame.
Dec 22: Christmas willow wreath workshop.
Dec 22: the new willow fence starts to take shape.
This project is supported by the Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges partnership project led by Eden Rivers Trust with a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
