GIVING away saplings is just one branch of a plan to see more trees in Petersfield as work on a tree strategy for the town begins.

Environmental applied scientist and Petersfield Society trustee Dr Andy Moffat is leading the team compiling the strategy, which he hopes should be published next March.

He said: “The society had a stall on the market in December giving away saplings and they all went, and we are looking at doing it again in the autumn.

“The idea is to increase tree cover in the town after the tree survey in 2016 revealed that although not bad, tree cover here isn’t better than average.

“The survey was supported by Petersfield Town Council, South Downs National Park and East Hampshire District Council and we hope they will also support the tree strategy.”

At its meeting on Friday, April 6, Petersfield Town Development Committee agreed to support the strategy proposal on behalf of the town council.

The strategy is aimed at protecting existing trees and encouraging more tree planting.

It will also outline why tree cover is important to Petersfield and which authority is responsible for trees in public spaces like the town centre, or The Avenue.

Dr Moffat said: “But equally importantly it will offer advice on the care of trees, so people with trees can find out how to look after them, or where to find tree care advice.

“People care about trees, and fortunately we have councils that listen, East Hampshire District Council reversed its decision to cut down the trees in The Square after opposition to the proposal.

“And as part of the First World War centenary commemorations in the town, Petersfield Town Council is planning to plant a tree in honour of each of those from the town who died in the war.”

Finally the strategy will guide how trees in the town are treated, and ensure their safety in future.

Dr Moffat said an ongoing row in Sheffield between city council contractors who are felling and replacing thousands of mature town centre trees and those opposed to the idea, is an example of a situation that a tree strategy could have prevented.

Conserving the natural environment is one of The Petersfield Society’s aims, he added.