April 2021- Blossoms and Blizzards

April 2021. 640 trees planted. It’s bitterly cold and I’m stood on an every day Road in Moss Side, surrounded by terraced houses in the shadow of what used to be Maine Road, Manchester City’s Football ground. 

I’ve got a big fleecy coat and a woolly hat on, whereas the chaps I’m about to meet seem oblivious to the weather as several of them are wearing T-shirts and one particularly brave young man is even in shorts.

Phase 1 of Tree Action MCR is coming to an end and  here in Carlton Road seven more beautiful, big Magnolia “Galaxy” trees are being  planted. 

 It’s  hard work, and unlike some of the other planting projects these trees have been planted directly into hardstanding meaning that concrete and paving has to be removed first, before the trees are carefully put in place and special soil scattered in and around the roots. Each tree then has a supporting stake put in place. The trees are already coming into flower, which seems bonkers as a blizzard of sleet starts blowing around them- I’m really glad I’m not wearing shorts.. The trees look stunning, tall and bold with big pink flowers about to explode into life. 

Dave who is leading the team of contractors on some of the planting program signs-posts me to another nearby scheme which he said is looking really, really impressive. I make a short trip down to Hall Road. It’s a proper blizzard now, bitingly cold, blowing sleet horizontally- I can’t believe I was in a t-shirt this time last week! 

The planting here is impressive. Two mature Birches frame the entrance to the road, with mature Cherry trees and more Magnolia lining the roadside- again planted carefully in the hard standing.  These trees will really look the part in two or three years when they have settled and are in full bloom. 

The bulk of the planting so far has been in softer ground, but the impact of trees on proper streets and roads is here for all to see- plenty more of this to come I’m sure.

Sub Zero- but T-shirts and shorts!  

Magnolia “Galaxy” - Ready to Bloom.
 

Street Trees can  add significant value to house prices.