Celebrating Arbor Day on the Greenway

Schoolchildren from Letchworth Garden City recently planted two new orchards to commemorate the centenary of Arbor Day.

Pupils of Lordship Farm and St Thomas More planted trees by Manor Wood car park and Hillbrow recreation ground respectively. Both orchards, accessible from the Greenway, have been planted to develop trees for the public to pick their own locally grown apples – to be eaten fresh or cooked at home. The processions closely matched Arbor Day celebrations 100 years ago, with children reciting poems and being given certificates for planting their tree.

Originally celebrated in Letchworth Garden City on 29th February 1908, the first tree of the ceremony was planted by guest-of-honour and founder of Australian Arbor Day, Sir John Cockburn, followed by Ebenezer Howard. This local tradition, which created thousands of trees that grace Letchworth today, continued until World War One in 1914.

On site boards are to be printed with a selection of schoolchildren’s poems, so why not pop down to Manor Wood or Hillbrow recreation ground, read the pupils work and try some free local apples!