Seed collection success | News

During September, the Trust's Sustainability team called on Mid Yorkshire staff to get involved with the Trust seed collection initiative.

Research shows that it is better to use seeds from trees that have grown in the local environment and conditions close where the seeds will be replanted. Growing trees from seeds that are collected in the locality increases their ability to establish and thrive, and minimises the risks of introducing tree diseases. It is also a free way of increasing the number of trees on our grounds, helping to improve and boost biodiversity.

A huge ‘thank you’ goes to the volunteers who gathered seeds for the specific tree species and placed them in collection boxes located across our three hospital sites. A massive response was received, with around 1,000 seeds being collected.

The response enabled some of these seeds to be planted recently during a planting event with some local school children. Eco-warriors from Stanley Grove Academy visited our Pinderfields Hospital site and joined members of the Trust Sustainability team to plant seeds collected as part of the initiative.

The fantastic seed collection response has also meant that plans for Mid Yorkshire to create its own tree nursery can now move forward. A tree nursery is a managed area where planted seeds are germinated and given special care until they grow into young trees ready for planting.

Construction of the tree nursery on our Pinderfields site will begin shortly, using materials generously donated by our partner Equans. There are many more seeds to plant from the seed collection and so these will be utilised as part of the tree nursery.

It is hoped that some of the trees from the nursery will be planted across our different hospital sites, however we will also be looking to donate them to schools, charities and individuals within the districts that we operate.