Thousands of trees to go to Lincolnshire schools.

Thousands of new trees will be planted throughout Lincolnshire in the coming weeks springing from a new council project.

The British Hardwood Tree Nursery in Snitterby, Lincolnshire, announced it had secured a contract with Lincolnshire County Council to distribute and plant 85,000 trees to schools, communities and landowners across the county.

Orders will be collated for more than 270 schools and communities, and approximately 50 landowners.

Some of the community areas include nature reserves, picnic sites, allotments and sports fields.

The order includes mixed broadleaf trees, hedgerow plants, and fruit trees.

The Lincolnshire-based tree nursery has been in business for more 20 years and has a stock of half-a-million trees.

Managing director of the tree nursery, Andrew Henderson, said he was delighted the company would be working closely with the council on the project.

“Securing the contract shows the council’s great faith in a local company,” he said.

“We’re very pleased and very proud to win the contract and be working with the council.

“We feel we’re well placed geographically.

“It’s quite a logistical challenge to get all the trees prepared and delivered, but the council know, based on past performance, that we can satisfy the contract demands.

“The weather could make it a bit more of a challenge, but it shouldn’t be too much of a hurdle.

“We’ll also be providing all the relevant protection products, such as spiral guards and tree tubes. We should have the whole scheme completed by the end of January.”

Mr Henderson said the Lincolnshire schools were primarily being supplied with fruit trees, placing emphasis on environmentalism and the growing of fruit and vegetables.

Senior teacher at Bardney Primary School, Martin Chatterton, said it was important for schools to inspire environmentalism within pupils.

“We’re based in a rural part of Lincolnshire, where the majority of the land is used for growing,” he said.

“It’s important to pass this on to our pupils so they realise where their food comes from.

“They get to watch the produce grow from the seed, to the final products sold at summer fairs.

“There’s a big focus on growing fruit and veg, all which links into the school environment and extra-curricular activities.”