Supported by grants from East Hampshire District Council and Petersfield Town Council, over the previous two winters PeCAN distributed over 380 fruit trees in Petersfield, but this year alone we sold 570 trees for gardens across East Hampshire!  That’s 950 trees in total under this project, so far.  

Working in partnership with Alton Climate Action Network, Liphook Climate Action Network, Rowlands Castle Gardening Club, Petersfield Community Garden and Phil Paulo of Future Shoots, we were able to offer the choice of four collection points this year, so that the whole district could benefit from subsidised trees. 

The trees would usually cost over £30 plus delivery but thanks to funding, they were available for only £15, including a stake and tie. Happy recipients told PeCAN that they were “thrilled” with their trees and couldn’t wait to plant them and watch them grow.  

Amelia Gabriel, programme manager at Petersfield Climate Action Network, said: “We are delighted with the success of the fruit tree project this year and very pleased that so many people across East Hampshire are doing their bit to boost biodiversity.”

“Trees are a valuable addition to any garden but particularly important in residential areas, where they can help with climate regulation and air filtration, and provide valuable habitats for wildlife.”

  “With almost half of Britain’s ancient woodland having been destroyed in the last 50 years, the need for these habitats is greater than ever, and you can help by planting a tree in your garden.”  

Fruit trees offer blossom in spring, fruit to eat, carbon dioxide sequestration, and a fantastic resource for wildlife and pollinators all year round in the form of nesting places and materials, food sources and cover.  

In England alone, the total area of gardens is 459% larger than the total area of the National Nature Reserves, so the potential significance of gardens as a resource for wildlife is clear.  

Trees were collected from Petersfield, Alton, Liphook and Rowlands Castle on the morning Saturday 11th February. To register your interest in purchasing fruit trees next winter, please fill out a form HERE.

If you purchased a tree, or trees, we would love your pictures! Even better, we would welcome a monthly picture of your new fruit tree, so that we can eventually create a wonderful time-lapse video diary of its progress. Please email us with your photos.

Cllr Bill Mouland (left) and Angela Glass (right) with resident Richard Allington in Liphook