Eco School - trees
We already have some trees in the school grounds. The conifers beside Trolla Water were planted in the 1950s by former head teacher Sam Polson. Despite being 50 years old, they are still only about 5 m high. In 1988, a few more trees were planted beside the conifers, but they have only grown a couple of metres in almost 20 years. It is hard work growing trees in Shetland.
In 2005, we planted some trees in the dump, the area beside Trolla Water which was used as a dump when the main school was built in the 1960s. We thought this would be a good area as it is not much good for anything else.
Unfortunately, it isn't much good for trees either, as it is either too dry and sandy, or choked with grass, and so the trees we planted have nearly all struggled to get established.
In 2006, we planted some willows by the old weather station, next to 'Telly Tubby Hill', the mown grass area we hope to turn into a sensory garden.
Planting willows in 2006.
One of the 2006 willows, which got a good start in the warm summer.