PLENTY of green fingers were on show in Lulworth when pupils replanted a selection of much-loved trees at a new school site.

Lulworth & Winfrith Primary School has recently moved from one end of School Lane to the other, taking its trees with them.

Trees transferred to the area include cherry, spindle and beech species. There are 25 trees in all with some measuring four feet.

The initiative was organised by Trees for Dorset, which has been running the project for more than 10 years together with a number of schools.

Speaking on the day of the transfer, Rachel Palmer, from Trees for Dorset, said: "The children dug them up from their tree nursery in the old school and today they have been planting them out on a landscape at the school, which I think will be equally scenic as any provided by the council.

"Landscaping will have cost a lot of money but these children have transferred probably 150 trees worth on their own having grown them and translocated them."

Children of all ages at the school have taken part in the project, from those in their first year to those in their final year.

The project, 'My Life, My Tree, Growing Together', was set up five years ago and involves five Dorset rural First Schools.

Children in Years One and Three collect local tree seeds, which are later planted in tree nurseries. Once ready, the budding trees are then taken out into the community.

The project has one paid environmental project officer, Pete Rothman, and a number of CRB-checked member volunteers.

Rachel said: "This scheme has really reaped its rewards.

"[The children] have transferred from their old school to the new school and they have taken their trees with them."

Rachel revealed Lulworth & Winfrith Primary School were set to be rewarded for having the best school file.

Trees for Dorset was founded as an independent charity in 2009, taking over from the Dorset Brance of the International Tree Foundation.

The charity aims to plant, protect and promote trees. Membership is open to everyone who loves trees.

Trees for Dorset relies on grants and donations to continue its work.

Rachel said a lot of the charity's resources were now 'exhausted' and any help would be appreciated.

For more information about Trees for Dorset, please visit treesfordorset.co.uk or email info@treesfordorset.co.uk

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