A NEW community woodland has taken root in Newquay.

Residents, volunteers and schoolchildren came together in Trenance Valley to plant 500 trees, including a new community orchard, as part of the Big Newquay Tree Plant on Wednesday, February 18.

Around 470 native whips were planted which included Red Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Norway maple, Scots Pine, Silver Birch, Beech and Wild Cherry.

Twenty fruit trees were planted of varying species, including 15 apple trees such as Cornish varieties, Cornish Aromatic, Cornish Gilliflower, Manaccan Primrose, four Crab Apple trees as well as one plum tree. Ten Light Standard trees were also planted for instant impact, including Red Oak, Liquidambar, Deodar, Whitebeam Alder and Tulip Tree.

Forest for Cornwall organised the event to support local wildlife, increase tree canopy cover and create a space for everyone to enjoy.

Newquay Town Council, Visit Newquay, Cormac, Newquay Towan Blystra Lions, Imagine Outdoors, Newquay in Bloom and Newquay BID members were among the organisations that took part.

Mayor Drew Creek said: “All 500 trees were planted in the day thanks to well over 100 members of the community who came to support.

“We even had a visiting family from Cambridge who got involved.

“A huge number of children came out, special thanks to the schools for supporting through advertising the event and Imagine Outdoors who brought a troop of over 20 children who then did a Wassail around their apple tree.

“This really was the point, children planting the trees they will one day walk beneath with their own families as they grow up and have the true understanding of power of place.”