GERDDI Bro Ddyfi Gardens (GBDG) and Gelli Deg Dyfi Food Forest group have been working with residents to plant fruit and nut trees around Machynlleth and the Dyfi Valley.

The project is funded by a ‘Climate Action Boost’, from the National Lottery Community Fund, and aims to make a difference on climate change by planting trees and soft fruit in public sites.

Local residents and groups have volunteered to be ‘Tree Guardians’ and have planted fruit and nut trees, including apples, pears, damsons, cherries and walnuts, in public areas, including Bryn Y Gog housing estate, Barcud housing association sites, the Plas estate, local schools and children’s play parks in Corris, Ceinws and Cemmaes.

Nearly 70 trees have been planted around the Dyfi Valley by local people, as well as blackcurrants, blueberries and rhubarb.

All the planting was done within covid 19 guidelines to keep residents safe.

The tree planting will help with climate change through fixing carbon in trees and soil, and will provide free fruit and nuts for residents, as well as being good for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and will reduce transport and plastic packaging from ‘food miles’.

Tree guardians have chosen most of the trees themselves and already have had some socially distanced training in winter fruit pruning, mulching and effective watering. When Covid restrictions lift, there will be more training and activities for tree guardians, including summer fruit pruning and a ‘fruit tree guilds’ workshop. If restrictions allow, there will be an event in summer to reward residents’ hard work and to celebrate the new trees and fruit bushes.

Beth Dunn, a resident of Bryn y Gog, said: “My son and I loved planting our own fruit trees around our estate. We look forward to learning how to take care of them and enjoying their fruits in a few years’ time! This has been such a valuable lesson for my eldest son, and I hope he learns to grow up to always respect nature, and be mindful of just how long it takes for a tree to grow! We would like to say a massive to thank you to Gerddi Bro Ddyfi Gardens and Gelli Deg Dyfi for organising this!”

Tree guardian Helena Earnshaw, a Machynlleth resident, said: "It's wonderful to see trees being planted that will be enjoyed by everyone for decades to come. And it’s such a positive thing, especially for the children, to see that local people care about the environment and the community and are working to improve it. My son is very proud to be a 'tree guardian'."

Elin Vaughan Crowley, who planted fruit trees at Ysgol Glantwymyn, added: “Ysgol Glantwymyn was fortunate to receive 7 new fruit trees thanks to Gerddi Bro Ddyfi Gardens and Gelli Deg Dyfi Food Forest. We are very grateful to Angela and the team for organising this and are very happy to give these trees a home. The trees and their fruit will be enjoyed by the school pupils and everyone who visits the site.

"The pupils will be able to taste and cook the cherries, apples, plums and damsons, and importantly will learn about the importance of trees in tackling climate change. We look forward to seeing the trees grow to create a greener environment for the school and community.”

The tree plantings will create opportunities for future activities such as Apple Day, juice pressing, and tree dressing, for tree guardians and their communities, when coronavirus restrictions lift.