Shade of the Canopy

Minworth Orchard

A new orchard was planted last weekend in Minworth, alongside Minworth Action Projects and Friends of Stephens Pond & Berryfields Orchard.

The crisp January morning consisted of the community coming together to plant 22 new fruit trees, opposite The Boat Inn on Old Kingsbury Road, for everyone to care for and enjoy for the foreseeable future. We planted:
• Pear
• Plum
• Mulberry
• Quince
• Heritage apples

The cold weather didn’t prevent the locals coming to help, nor were spirits low – the energy was palpable, and we would like to thank each individual of the many wonderful volunteers that came to plant these trees!

Thanks to Lawrence Weston, Trustee Coordinator for Orchards, as well as our generous sponsors The Tree Council, as well as Frank Matthews, and of course the community groups we’ve worked with to get this new Minworth orchard in the ground. Now it is time to look after it, and watch it grow.

All images belong to MAP, FoSBO & Sutton Chase Heritage & Ecology.

The new Minworth orchard in the January mist.

Family Legacy Tree Planting

Post author By birminghamtreepeople
Post date 08/01/2025
Categories In Planting, Zephaniah Forest
No Comments on Family Legacy Tree Planting

The time finally came for David Springer to plant a tree in memory of his brother, Benjamin Zephaniah, with his family from the Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group.

Family Legacy tree planting - left to right is Frank, David, Joyce, and Millicent.

David originally contacted us from the Family Legacy Group wanting to plant a tree in memory of Benjamin. We decided it wasn’t enough, and thus The Zephaniah Forest was born. 65 trees for the 65 years of Benjamin’s life, each paired with 65 poems chosen through a competition named after his famous Trees Please.

This was in January. In July we released the fundraiser and press release, with 106 incredible kind and generous sponsors, whose contributions have directly funded the diverse collection of trees, planting them, and caring for them in the years to come, alongside the community Benjamin grew up in in Newtown.

It was a lovely crisp morning planting six trees with Benjamin’s siblings, David, Millicent, Joyce, and her husband Frank. We were also joined by resident Ebony, 6-year-old published poet Jayce Joyce (shortlisted for Birmingham City University’s Future Writers competition, and the youngest author in the world) and his wonderful mother, as well as BCC Woodland Team assisting us in digging the holes ready to plant, and our full BTP team! Thank you to everyone who made the magic happen.

It was such a special occasion, with each of the trees being named after one of the siblings and their mother. BTP would like to thank the Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group for trusting us with this beautiful commemorative project in the name of Benjamin Zephaniah, and it has been a true pleasure to be able to plant these trees in the community he once lived.

Enchanted Orchard Tree Planting

Post author By birminghamtreepeople
Post date 06/01/2025
Categories In Orchards, Planting, Zephaniah Forest

Celebrating Benjamin Zephaniah and his love of fruit trees! 19th December we planted The Zephaniah Forest’s Orchard in Burbury Park. The Zephaniah Forest saw a momentous planting day take place on 19th December, where we teamed up with not only the Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group, but also Burbury Park Community Forum, Birmingham Empowerment Forum, and three local schools (Anglesey, Nishkam, and Holte), as well as the community to plant the twelve orchard trees in Burbury Park.

With live performances from incredible African Drummers, poetry readings from Bradley Taylor who has helped BTP throughout the entire poetry competition and beyond, and Zakariye one of our poetry judges, as well as the school children and residents reading too, tree decorating and wreath making, tree-lated drinks and snacks, the day was truly momentous.

The Lord Mayor even graced us with his presence! He took the time out of his day to visit the planting site and activities, to endorse the work and encourage the children. The Lord Mayor had photos with each school group, saying, “It’s wonderful to get the local youth involved in this project.”

The sun shone through the clouds the entire day, through small spurts of rain, with seagulls singing whilst Newtown resident John Bailey recited poetry about a beach, and by the end of the event a rainbow was painted starkly above our heads! Many poetic blessings from Benjamin.

It was an incredible turn out, with not only the schools but many local residents, bringing community spirit to the park in the name of Benjamin Zephaniah. Millicent, one of Benjamin’s siblings, also attended the event and had a lovely photo taken with the first two twin trees planted for Benjamin and his twin sister Velda.

The Zephaniah Forest Orchard Tree Planting. African drummers!

A huge thanks goes out to Lawrence (Trustee for Orchards), Katy (Engagement), Matt (Operations), Julianne & Steve (Trustees), Penny (Birmingham City Council Park Ranger) for helping us dig, Sonya & Debra (BBCF), Dr Bishop Desmond Jaddoo (BEF), Frank P Matthews (sponsors), Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and of course Millicent and Benjamin’s loving family and friends from BZFLG.

Minworth Press Release

Community Orchard Planting in Minworth, East Birmingham

Birmingham TreePeople and the Minworth Action Projects are supporting biodiversity and developing green spaces, by planting a community orchard for Minworth residents, thanks to funding from The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund.

Branching Out provides grants ranging from £250 to £2,500 in value to community groups, schools, small registered charities, and Tree Warden Networks, seeking to establish trees, hedgerows, and orchards throughout the winter planting season.

This year, Birmingham TreePeople successfully secured grant support through the Branching Out Fund, and will be planting 25 fruit trees in the Mid-Point Park, Minworth.We are also being kindly sponsored by Frank Matthews.

Lawrence Weston, Trustee for Orchards for Birmingham TreePeople said:

We are very excited to be planting a community orchard in Minworth. This project has been in the works for several years, and we’re excited to finally realise the vision of local residents, who initially approached the council in 2022.

People are invited to join us to help plant the 25 fruit trees in Mid-point Park, at 10:30am on Saturday 11th January 2025. We will meet at the entrance on the Old Kingsbury Road, just southeast of The Boat Inn.

Now in its 18th year, Branching Out has supported hundreds of projects in communities throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, delivering new habitats for wildlife, and a green living legacy for residents and visitors to enjoy, from Cornwall to Carmarthenshire, and Fife to Fermanagh.

The Tree Council Grants Officer, Geraldine Creaven said: “Branching Out presents a fantastic opportunity for schools and community groups large and small to get their spades in the ground, and start establishing life enhancing and biodiversity boosting trees, hedgerows, and orchards in their neighbourhoods. We’re so thrilled for all our successful applicants, especially Birmingham TreePeople!”

Event Details:
10:30am Saturday 11th January 2025
Mid-Point Park, Minworth
What3Words: bigger.piano.expose
Please wear warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear.
Please bring your own gardening gloves if you have them.
Tools for planting will be provided.

Daisy Farm Park Tree Planting

Daisy Farm Park Friends tree planting with Highters Heath Community School - the children running across the field

We had the pleasure of planting trees with pupils from Highters Heath Community School once again this year (they are becoming quite the enthusiastic tree-planting squad), after we had arranged with the Friends of Daisy Farm Park to have six new elms planted, replacing the old lost street colonnade.

Steve (President of FDFP) and Mac (BTP Trustee) met with the BCC Woodlands Team led by Leon, to get the planting holes ready for the children to arrive. Charley (Communications) came with the pupils and teachers, who ran with all their might across the field, to the trees waiting to be planted.

Matt (Operations) taught the children how to use the tools safely (and how not to hit one’s own hand with a hammer, a plight many have suffered), as well as digging, back-filling, and putting the gator (watering) bags on. These kids are now professional planters who can help the local community in a jiffy!

Seeing as there were six trees, it was fitting that each of the children chose their tree, and thus from this day forward will come back with their name labels and continue to look after the tree they all helped to plant.

A big thanks to the Woodland Team for helping us get the trees to Daisy Farm Park and plant them, as well as the Friends group and school for continuing to work with us, support our efforts, and plant trees.

Kings Heath Treemembrance

On Friday 29th November in Kings Heath Park, a Magnolia x loebneri Leonard Messel Treemembrance tree was planted in memory of the mother of Julia and Terry Kirby. Kings Heath Rangers from the Horticulture Department, Dave and Graeme, planted the tree in a flower bed, where it should flourish. Julia and Terry were accompanied by close family and friends to celebrate their mother’s life.

BCU Volunteer Network Tree Planting

Post author By birminghamtreepeople
Post date 16/12/2024
Categories In Planting, Treevents, Zephaniah Forest

BCU students from the volunteer network planting The Zephaniah Forest trees with us (not all pictured)

On 3rd December, Birmingham City University’s (BCU) Volunteer Network students joined us to celebrate one of their Honorary Doctorates, Benjamin Zephaniah, by planting several of The Zephaniah Forest’s trees with us in Burbury Park.

Benjamin Zephaniah was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from BCU, so it was wonderful to plant trees with the student volunteer network. The team were brilliant, carrying trees across the park (thanks Sam!), digging difficult holes with tough ground, and did so with smiles and perseverance.

Caitlin from Trees for Cities came along to help us, as one of our generous sponsors of this fantastic project, and her expertise and company were thoroughly enjoyed. We were only distracted slightly by the local cats and fungi, scroll through the photos to see Steve’s accidental thriller, and some rather photogenic mushies! A brilliant day all around with satisfying hard work.

Thank you to everyone who came and got stuck in, especially Matt and Carl for the logistic support. Let’s make sure these trees for Benjamin thrive.

BCU students from the volunteer network planting The Zephaniah Forest trees with us

Mushroom found whilst planting with BCU!

Surveying Street Trees: Thank You!

Group surveying sessions will now stop for December and January. Planning to resume from February with surveying dates on weekdays (Monday am/pm, Tuesday pm) and weekends (Saturday/Sunday) to be published in the new year. Thank you to everyone for your hard work, we have made a big dent in the number of trees surveyed so far this year – 1,885 trees. In contrast, from 2020 to 2023 we surveyed 1,427 trees. Only 1,115 trees remaining for the funded project which is due to finish at the end of March 2025. Thank you for your ongoing support!

If you wish to continue surveying during December and January by yourself or with another surveyor, I can provide a list of trees in your chosen area. Let me know if this is something you would like to do. I have been checking the data collected so far. During December and January, I will be sending emails requesting some trees to be surveyed again due to missed variables/errors etc. If you are willing to help with this, it would be appreciated.

Nina Griffiths, Trustee Coordinator for the Street Tree Survey Project

Treemembrance – Bournville

Our first planting of the year was for the Treemembrance programme in Bournville, 21st November, planting a tree with the friends, family, Friends group, and pupils of the local school, all in memory of Carl Green. It was a lovely morning after the snow had fallen in Bournville Park, where Rachel had organised with our Trustee for Treemembrance Julianne for a sorbus torminalis to be planted in memory of her precious uncle.

Woodland Team members Leon and Steve were fantastic in helping plant the tree, and after Rachel made a speech to commemorate the life of Carl, the Chair of Friends of Bournville Park, and pupils from Bournville Village Primary School, planted bulbs at the base of the newly planted tree. The tree will thrive in the years to come in vivid colours! Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Julianne and Bournville pupils at the Treemembrance planting

Bournville Village Primary School children, hands, Treemembrance

Carl Green's family at the Treemembrance planting in Bournville Park.

17th Tree Planting

CANCELLED – Apologies for the late notice, we’ve just learned we’ve had to cancel the Tuesday 17th tree planting day tomorrow in Burbury Park at 10:30, as we have lost our logistical support. We hope you understand and we deeply apologise for this inconvenience. We hope to see you on the 19th (Orchard) 13:30 and 20th (Legacy) 11:00.

Ebony Hikers Tree Planting

Post author By birminghamtreepeople
Post date 02/12/2024
Categories In Planting, Zephaniah Forest

On the weekend that Tree Week began, we started planting The Zephaniah Forest in Burbury Park, with Qian Zephaniah planting the first tree for her husband, and Ebony Hikers joined us on the second day to celebrate the life and legacy of this iconic Brummie.

Despite Storm Burt being forewarned, he once again didn’t stop us from getting trees in the ground, and this incredible group of volunteers stuck into tree planting semi-mature trees like they had done it all their lives.

We were also joined by Naya, one of our urban forest volunteers and PhD student at University of Birmingham. Thank you to Penny and Steve from the Park Rangers from Birmingham City Council who helped us, as well as the Ebony Hikers for joining us and having a magnificent afternoon.

Thank you so much for being a part of this, and we all agreed we cannot wait to see The Zephaniah Forest flourish in the years to come.

Ebony Hikers, The Zephaniah Forest, Tree Week 2024

We were honoured to plant trees in The Zephaniah Forest at Burbury Park during National Tree Week! Despite the cold and wet weather, our spirits were high, and the energy was contagious. A huge thank you to the team at Birmingham TreePeople for this incredible opportunity to honour Benjamin Zephaniah’s legacy and support future generations through tree planting. Let’s keep planting for a greener tomorrow!

The Zephaniah Forest’s First Tree for Tree Week

Post author By birminghamtreepeople
Post date 02/12/2024
Categories In Planting, Zephaniah Forest

THE ZEPHANIAH FOREST

Qian Zephaniah, her close friends and family planted the first tree (Milky Way tree from China), and subsequent four trees, in The Zephaniah Forest – the 65 strong legacy mini-forest being planted in Burbury Park, in memory of her husband Benjamin Zephaniah, this winter.

Today marks the first day of National Tree Week 2024, that’s why this magnificent group of people, with Benjamin’s loving wife, joined us during Storm Burt this morning. The rain and wind didn’t stop us, with Qian recording the journey of the trees being planted, and the story behind how the forest came to be, as part of an upcoming documentary.

NATIONAL TREE WEEK 2024

Velda's daughter with Velda's tree in The Zephaniah Forest

The pair of trees planted at the entrance to Farm Street, where Benjamin grew up with his family, will forever symbolise him and his sister Velda – whose daughter attended with Qian – who also regrettably passed away this year. We hope that these trees can bring a small sense of peace to the family at this difficult time.

We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the incredible backers of our fundraising campaign, and our corporate sponsors, Trees for Cities, Birmingham City Council, Veolia UK, Frank P Matthews, and everyone else who has contributed to this wonderful commemorative forest.

The Zephaniah Forest - first trees with Qian Zephaniah and friends

BTP will be planting throughout the season with groups, sponsors, and of course the Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group, and these dates will be released soon!

Thank you to everyone who has made this happen, the Rangers Penny and Simon, and especially to Qian and her friends for their tenacious spirits and hard work – don’t forget, send us your poems by the 1st December to be paired with the trees!

Pests and Diseases Training

Pests and diseases free monthly training with Tonia in Handsworth Park - a clay face in the tree from Halloween

Free monthly urban forest volunteer training covered pests and diseases this month, in Handsworth Park with Tonia Clark. This wonderful morning session in the park, Saturday 16th November, saw the volunteers learning the risks to trees that come with illness and creepy crawlies, just like us humans. Fungi is ever-present, but what is that pattern in the bark?

Thank you to the volunteers who attended and to Tonia for the interesting session, we hope to see you all there at the next training on 21st December, for a special Christmas workshop!

Pests and diseases podcast

Trees for Tree Week!

Post author By birminghamtreepeople
Post date 20/11/2024
Categories In Identification, Planting, Treevents, Videos

Our trees for National Tree Week and beyond arrived at the Bromford depot on Tuesday 12th November, where our keen BTP team was bright and early to receive the trees!

Plenty of hard work done to unload and organise over 130 semi-mature trees. Through our various city-wide projects, we will be planting all over Birmingham: Newtown, The Zephaniah Forest, Alum Rock, Sheldon, Handsworth, Kings Heath, Highters Heath, Holder’s Wood, and more.

Julianne checking the trees for tree week inventory lists

We sorted through the trees to make sure our inventory lists match (they never do), and we sorted them into planting groups depending on their locations.

Mac, Charley, Julianne, Dee, Nina, Matt - collecting the trees for tree week DONE!

Our first tree planted this year will be for the Treemembrance programme, run by Julianne Statham, who has been working hard with the sponsors to ensure their memorial and commemorative trees are planted.

We will be planting The Zephaniah Forest during Tree Week and beyond, with Benjamin’s loved ones and volunteer groups over Birmingham, as well as the inclusion of an orchard for Benjamin’s love of fruit trees. We look forward to putting these trees in the ground, just as we did last year, and will every year!

Burbury Park Poetree Walk

Post author By birminghamtreepeople
Post date 18/11/2024
Categories In Arts, Tree Walk, Zephaniah Forest

Julianne leading the Burbury Park tree walk during the poetree session

An afternoon in Burbury Park! The poetree walk and workshop on 9th November was a lovely couple of hours, filled with creativity and history. Julianne Statham’s fantastic tree walk, coupled with the myths and legends and tie these trees to present-day beliefs, and being in a space where Benjamin Zephaniah grew up was truly inspiring.

Bradley and Zakariye were once again incredible hosts under the gazebo, for a poetry session with prompts and the ideas we bought back with us from the walk. David Springer, Benjamin’s brother, was kind enough to stop by, writing and reading an amazing poem with a personal touch during the workshop, and the Chair of Burbury Park Community Forum, Sonya, who did just the same with her anecdotes and local knowledge.

The leaning planes, the writing on the beech tree, the poorly sycamore surviving despite the odds – the poetry in nature is something Benjamin Zephaniah saw every day, and BTP can’t wait to give back to his community with this legacy forest in Newtown.

Don’t forget to send your poems to us via email or use our form on the website! The Trees Please, Poetry Please? competition ends midnight 1st December. We want to thank, with all our hearts, the people who made this happen, and especially those who attended the event!