Volunteers had spent two days planting 360 saplings last month
Cllr Jackie Schofield at the site of damaged saplngs
‘Mindless vandals’ who ripped up and damaged hundreds of newly planted tree saplings on a field has been blasted by locals.
A total of 360 young trees were sown over two days across a third of a hectare on a field close to Hall i’th’ Wood museum, in Bolton, a month ago. But last week, a horrified walker discovered the heartbreaking scene with saplings being torn out of the ground.
Shocking drone images show how all of baby trees guards and stakes and dozens of saplings have been forcibly knocked over and strewn across the grass. The saplings were planted by volunteers and staff from City of Trees, an independent Manchester-based tree planting trust.
The group say they will soon be visiting the field to assess the incident and count how many trees have been damaged. The incident was reported to Bolton Council who have since branded the incident a ‘disgrace’ and contacted Greater Manchester Police.
Saplings planted were a mix of Hawthorne, Holly, Rowan, Silver birch, Hornbeam, and Sessile. Locals have since spoken of their outrage following the incident.
One fuming resident said: “What is wrong with these people! Absolutely disgusting!” Another said: “The lowlife dregs of society. Absolutely disgusting excuses for human beings.”
Damaged saplngs in a field in Hall I’ Th’ Wood
One other said: “This is such a shocking sight. I can only imagine how much distress it must cause those who planted them, as I feel bad enough.! Those responsible mustn’t have a decent bone in their body. I’d love to see them locked in stocks in the town square and pelted with rotten fruit and veg, then, forced to pull up all the weeds in Bolton!”
Another disgruntled local said: “Absolute disgrace. No excuses for this. What’s wrong with people these days. No respect for anything.”
Cllr Richard Silvester, Bolton Council’s executive member for climate change and environment, condemned the actions as “utterly shameful”.
He said: “This kind of mindless vandalism is utterly shameful and whoever has done it is a disgrace to themselves and their community. Bolton’s green spaces are valued by young and old, and one of the things councillors are most often asked is to plant more trees.
A total of 360 young trees were sown over two days across a third of a hectare
“It’s awful to see trees that could have been enjoyed by generations to come ripped from the ground, and I’m determined to find the culprits.”
Cllr Jackie Schofield, of Bradshaw, also condemned the act and said there was still hope some of the trees could be saved.
The Labour councillor said: “I’m shocked at the destruction of these young trees and what a great addition they would have been for the local community. We are working with the local officers to try to reach a solution to it.
“Officers have done an assessment and hopefully we can save some of the trees in the area.”
Cllr Jackie Schofield said there was still hope some of the trees could be saved
Greater Manchester Police have been approached for a comment. More than 10,000 new trees are currently being planted at parks, woods and green spaces across Bolton under plans coordinated by Bolton council and City of Trees.
The work has been made possible by ‘Nature for Climate’ funding from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
A spokesperson for the group said: “It is terrible to hear what has happened. We are still yet to confirm how many are damaged.
“Members will be visiting the site soon to conduct enquiries.”
It is also believed the council are currently investigating whether any of saplings can be saved and replanted.
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