Hundreds of oak trees were planted at National Trust Dinefwr on Saturday 30 November as visitors helped do their bit for the environment on Tree Charter Day.
Visitors joined the conservation charity’s rangers to plant native broadleaf species on the 800-acre estate in Carmarthenshire, which is home to ancient woodland and some of the oldest trees in Britain.
The oak trees were used to replant areas affected by ash dieback disease and were kindly gifted by the Woodland Trust as part of Hay Festival’s Thirty Acre Wood project.
Speaking about the activity, National Trust Ranger Sarah Jones, said: “Thanks to the hard work and support of our visitors, the Woodland Trust and Hay Festival, we are proud to have planted hundreds of new trees at Dinefwr.
“We know that nature needs us now more than ever and it’s when we work together that we can achieve real difference to benefit the environment and protect special places for future generations to enjoy.”
The event coincided with the launch of the Woodland Trust’s Big Climate Fightback, a national campaign urging the public to pick up their spades and take action on climate change, and Hay Festival’s Winter Weekend where visitors enjoyed activities including a woodland walk and tree ID session, as well as a free tree to take home.
Ruth Hyde, Director of Brand and Communications for the Woodland Trust, said: “We are pleased to support the 30 acres project, working in partnership with our friends at Hay Festival and the National Trust.
“This weekend’s planting at Dinefwr has added significance as it will be one of more than 100 events nationwide as part of our Big Climate Fightback. Trees are so important for the environment, for wildlife and for people.
“This weekend thousands of people will be planting trees to demonstrate that #EveryTreeCounts.”
Andy Fryers, Sustainability Director at Hay Festival, said: “Our #HAYTREES project to plant 30 acres for our 30th year continues to grow.
“We are delighted to join the Woodland Trust and the National Trust in this new planting at Dinefwr.
“It will provide pleasure and enjoyment for generations to come, while furthering our ambitions to mitigate our own environmental impacts.”
For more information about the National Trust’s work at Dinefwr, please visit:www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr
