Greenspace Aberdeenshire was offering mini-orchard packs to community groups across Aberdeenshire and Friends of Forest Drive Park (FOFDP) were lucky enough to receive a pack – containing 8 fruit trees supplied by Scottish Heritage Fruit Trees.
This is part of a drive to increase free to pick fruits in public spaces, improve visual amenity with pretty blossoms and berries, build planting and maintenance skills for people of all ages, and to support our insects and wildlife, particularly our pollinator friends.
The project was funded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund and helps contribute towards Aberdeenshire Council’s Pollinator Action Plan 2022-2027 and food growing provision.
The fruit tree pack was received back in November but the trees were heeled in over Winter until early signs of Spring. FOFDP committee with help and guidance from Linda @ Stonehaven Horizon Group, helped plant all eight trees, plus two extra Hawthorn trees and one mighty Oak gifted to the park from Councillor Sarah Dickinson (who won it in a raffle and thought we could make best use of it).
The fruit trees were planted on a bank near Hamish Park, aligned with the pathway and within the proposed No Mow Meadow areas as defined by Aberdeenshire Council. Somewhat off plan due to ground conditions of proposed line, the bank is full of rock pile as we later discovered, this area was used in the past for burying horses from the original Mill O Forest Mill. It was a very successful morning and we will soon be able to class ourselves as master tree planters – big thanks to all committee members and Linda at Horizon Group.
Apple Discovery / Apple Howgate Wonder / Pear Concorde / Apple James Grieve / Apple Lord Derby / Plum Victoria / Plum Rivers / Pear Louise Bonne of Jersey
* Trees in order South to North (towards Forest View Centre)
We also planted two new Hawthorn trees along with a mighty Oak tree, located over beside the pathway adjacent to Mill O Forest Nursery outdoor play area which will hopefully help provide some extra shelter from the weather.
