Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Autumnwatch team have had overwhelming support from the people of Devon for a project to plant 1,000 saplings in Plymouth's Central Park.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ South West's weatherman and keen gardener David Braine and the chairman of Plymouth Argyle, Paul Stapleton, were among the first to plant saplings at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Tree Party on Saturday 10 November 2007.

Planting saplings in Central Park

Hundreds of people answered the call to plant a sapling in 1.5 acres of parkland backing onto Ford Park Cemetery.

Moor Trees and the British Trust for Nature Conservation Volunteers were on hand to advise the best way to plant the saplings.

The varieties are all native trees and shrubs and include oak, holly, cherry, hazel, rowan, alder, willow and crab apple.

Those taking part were also able to plant acorns to look after at home for a few years until it's time to plant them out across Devon.

Hundreds of people joined the Tree Party

As well as planting trees, the whole family were invited to get involved in activities aimed at learning about and appreciating the beauty of trees.

Park rangers led guided walks to teach people about the different varieties of trees in the park and where they come from.

And the Devon Wildlife Trust and South Devon College enlisted people's help to build bat, insect and nest boxes which rangers will put up around the park to provide homes and food for wildlife.

Inside the marquees there was bark rubbing, tree rings showing the history of the city and badge making workshops.