Mullingar Great Tree Planting Project takes root in Bellview

Bellview Heights is the latest local neighbourhood to get involved in the Mullingar Great Tree Planting Project.

A Mullingar Tidy Towns driven initiative, in association with Westmeath County Council, Coillte and Crann (Trees for Ireland), the idea behind the Great Tree Planting Project is to create nature-friendly havens in the greens around Mullingar by providing 3,000 native trees to communities over the next three years.

These trees will eventually form a green belt around Mullingar, improving the environment and providing several benefits to the community.

The initiative is proving popular with residents associations around the town, including Bellview Heights, where some oak and ash saplings were recently planted on the green areas.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Bellview Heights Residents Association committee member James Lowry said the people were eager to participate in such a worthwhile project.

“The Great Tree Planting Project is a positive initiative and one we are all happy to be part of. The first evening we planted some saplings, a group of around 20 residents came out to help, despite the damp weather.

“It was particularly encouraging to see so many young people there with their parents. They each planted their own tree and asked loads of really good questions.

“Mullingar Tidy Towns and the other organisations involved in the project deserve loads of praise and hopefully as many estates as possible will take part. This is a really great initiative that will benefit the town of Mullingar for decades to come,” Mr Lowry said.

Mullingar Tidy Towns’ John Bawle said that response from residents associations is encouraging. He thanked Westmeath County Council, Coillte and Crann for their contribution to the project.

“So far seven estates have taken part. It’s amazing how word travels around. It doesn’t have to be 500 trees, it can 50 or even 10 trees to get started.

“People watch the trees grow and as they grow taller, they might get enthusiastic about planting more. There are plenty of green spaces around the town where trees could be planted.

“A number of schools have also got involved. We were down at Mullingar Community College last week and gave everyone a tree to take home.

“We have had a great year with tree planting. It has really captured people’s imagination and hopefully it will get bigger and better next year.

“PJ Fitzpatrick has done Trojan voluntary work. He has such a passion and knowledge.” The initiative is a “win-win” on a number of different levels, Mr Bawle added.

“It helps Mullingar Tidy Towns in the competition and we can also enter a special section for trees. More importantly, it helps reduce our carbon footprint, which is something we have to do. There are plenty of green spaces in Mullingar that are underutilised, small pockets where trees could be planted.”