Rock Solid, but Spring has Sprung

 February. 407 trees Planted City wide.

 This is some achievement, incredible given the circumstances. The first two weeks of the month were pretty much out of action from a tree planting perspective. The ground - Rock solid. Temps down to -10 degrees. I chipped away  2 inch blocks of ice from my garden pond, and crunched my way around my local park, in awe of Winter. I just love Winter. Proper Winter, not the usual, mild, grey, muddy wet ones.. the cold, crisp, vitally biting ones, like in early Feb. 

I spent some time with Joe and Noel from the Arbor team, who talked me through some of the bonkers, brilliant and beautiful tree specimens which will be gracing our Streets over the coming weeks  (Simonsway, Wythenshawe, you don't know what you've got coming.. ).

February though was a testament to endeavour. That number. 407. In a time of national crisis, in hard times environmentally - Manchester has pushed on with its plans for more big trees. And it doesn't happen by chance. The MCC teams and its contractors have worked full on to make this happen. Despite Covid. Despite the weather. Despite everything. Unstoppable. 

One of the showstoppers was the creation of a new feature avenue of trees at Southern Cemetery in Chortlton which is arguably already one of the finest urban arboretums in the Country. 32 Magnolia - Heaven sent,  planted to compliment and future proof the wonderful treescape here. 

Towards the end of February - signs of Spring. Buds and blossom, bringing hope, and expectation. Vaccines on its way. Ground is softer. Blue Skies. March should be fun.