Community Tree Planting

Hill Head 

Community Tree Planting at Seafield Park – A Resounding Success

Fareham Borough Council was pleased to coordinate a successful large-scale community tree planting event at Seafield Park, Hill Head, in early 2025. Supported by funding from the Hampshire Forest Partnership, approximately 1,650 native trees and shrubs were planted as part of an initiative to establish a vibrant new mini forest - with significant support from local residents, schools, and community groups.

This project forms part of the Council's ongoing commitment to addressing climate change, enhancing biodiversity, and contributing to Hampshire County Council's pledge to plant one million trees by 2050.

Key Outcomes:

• More than 20 native tree and shrub species were planted, including disease-resistant elms, English oaks, beech, elder, hazel, and holly.
• A dedicated wildflower area was established, thanks to the generous donation of seeds from Wildflower Turf Ltd.
• The event fostered strong community engagement and environmental stewardship, offering a meaningful opportunity for participants of all ages to contribute to local conservation efforts.

Fareham Borough Council extends its sincere thanks to all those who participated and supported this initiative. The event marked a significant step forward in enriching the borough's green spaces and promoting long-term ecological sustainability.

4th June 2025

Mini Forest at Seafield Park officially named Arthur's Wood

The Mayor of Fareham was joined by councillors, Council officers and volunteers on 4th June 2025, to officially name the new mini-forest at Seafield Park in Hill Head. 

The mini-forest has been named 'Arthur's Wood' in honour of the late Alderman Arthur Mandry who sadly passed away in 2024. Alderman Mandry served as Ward Councillor for Hill Head from 1995 to 2018. During this time, he also served as the Mayor of Fareham between 2001 and 2002 and as Deputy Leader of the Council between 1999 and 2001 and again between 2002 and 2012.

Executive Member for Streetscene, Cllr Ian Bastable, said "We are delighted to officially name this new mini-forest Arthur's Wood. It is a fitting legacy for the late Alderman Arthur Mandry, who not only served the Hill Head ward and the wider Fareham community for so many years, but who also planted trees at Seafield Park himself many years ago. Thanks to the efforts of Council officers and the many volunteers involved, this mini forest will provide beauty and enjoyment for generations to come."

Portchester 

Community Tree Planting in Portchester – A Great Community Effort!

On 16 February 2023, local residents in Portchester, including families, pre-school children, and Tree Officers from Fareham Borough Council joined the Litter Ladies Who Lunch for a fantastic community tree planting event near Portchester Castle. Supported by funding from the Hampshire Forest Partnership.

The trees were generously supplied by The Tree Council, and together, volunteers planted 350 whips and standards to enhance the open space.

Here's what was planted:

• A new thicket in the north-east corner of the site using native species like hazel, blackthorn, hawthorn, elder, field maple, and dog rose.
• Alder and white willow whips were added around two wetter areas in the middle of the site.
• Six larger black poplar standards were planted on drier ground between the wetland areas.
• Four Mirabelle De Nancy plum standards were planted in a line near the eastern ditch, connected by a single row of whips to create a mixed native hedge.

The Fareham Borough Council grounds maintenance team were on hand throughout, moving compost in wheelbarrows to mulch the trees and give them the best start.

The event was well supported and wrapped up by lunchtime, with more than 30 local people taking part - many of them young children and families.