Fruit trees planted in Wiltshire play area divide opinion

A row of six newly-planted fruit trees within the Stallard Recreation Field near Trowbridge railway station has divided the town.

The fruit trees are part of a new community orchard planted by contractors idverde using some of the £140,471 granted to Trowbridge by Great Western Community Forests.

The aim is to plant 270 new trees in green spaces across the town to help make the environment more attractive and boost biodiversity.

But the six trees have been planted in two rows slap bang in the centre of an area where local children play kick-about football.

The newly-planted fruit trees at the Stallard Recreation Field in Trowbridge may have to be moved. Image: Trevor Porter 76997-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

One man said: “The trees have been planted in the area most popular with the young people playing football. They could have been planted in the triangular area next to the skate park.”

Another added: “Typical inept decision yet again from councillors detached from reality. TBH I will give them a week before the youth of Trowbridge pull them down to make goalposts.”

One woman said: “Why were young people not asked how they use the area? The trees should be moved.”

Another man added: “It is not too late to move the trees to a more appropriate place. The majority of comments suggest that they are not in a good position.”

Trowbridge Town Council leader Cllr Stewart Palmen has launched a simple poll to find out what people think of the location.

So far, 51 per cent of those who have responded say the trees should be moved, while 45 per cent think they should stay where they are, and four per cent say they should be arranged in a circle on the same spot.

The fruit trees may be replanted in this more suitable area. Image: Trevor Porter 76997-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The Great Western Community Forests project, called Trowbridge Green Thread, will see 270 trees planted all over the town.

It will add trees to existing green spaces like Paxcroft Brook, Biss Meadows, The Down Cemetery and the Town Park.

The new trees will include community orchards, trees in play areas, and cherry trees to brighten entrances to the town.

Cllr Palmen said: “The trees were not quite positioned as initially planned and we are talking to idverde to have them repositioned.

“This area is the creation of a new orchard area which had apple and fruit trees and hence the trees were arranged in rows.

“There have been 270 trees plus 500 saplings planted at 21 locations across Trowbridge with the majority of them planted in excellent positions.

“We need to keep this rather odd planting position in perspective as "one misplaced tree doesn't spoil the whole plantation."