Roots for the Future

Our Aims

Our climate is changing. Summers are getting hotter and drier, and flooding is becoming more frequent, as Shabbington residents are only too aware.

The Parish Council, which owns and manages the Millennium Field on behalf of the village, needs to act now to help mitigate the impact of climate change on the recreation ground, and safeguard this valuable community asset for future generations.

Together with Shabbington Nature Network, we propose to undertake a major 3-year programme of tree planting, which will, in the long term:

• Provide shade – there is currently no shade whatsoever near the play areas.
• Enhance biodiversity – trees provide food and shelter for a huge variety of wildlife.
• Improve health and wellbeing – being amongst trees reduces stress, boosts the immune system and improves mood.
• Reduce flooding – trees absorb rainwater, and slow the flow of floodwater.

Around 450 trees are planned, sufficient for a tree for every child and household.

This is an ambitious project, but we believe that with community support and practical help we can deliver meaningful and long-lasting improvements to the Millennium Field.

Proposed tree planting scheme

Without compromising the primary function of the Millennium Field as a sports and recreation ground, we propose to plant the following native trees, chosen, as far as possible, for their flood and drought tolerance:

• Specimen (stand-alone) trees – including: bird cherry, white willow and common alder around the children’s play area to eventually provide much-needed shade; the magnificent English oak, which supports more wildlife than any other native tree in the UK, providing a home and food source for over 2,300 species; black poplars, which thrive on floodplains, and are Britain’s most endangered timber tree, with an estimated population of only 7,000.

• Orchard area – to meet the wishes expressed by villagers in recent years, by planting flood-tolerant varieties of such fruit trees as plum, damson, pear, and quince. Benefits include: beautiful blossom in the spring; pesticide-free fruit for us all to enjoy in the summer; the opportunity to plant heritage varieties to assist in their conservation for future generations, and help to bolster food resilience and security.

• Woodland area – of around 0.35 acre to supplement the existing 0.2-acre copse, consisting of trees such as field maple, silver birch, wild cherry, hawthorn, hornbeam, willow, downy birch, holly and rowan. With a winding path running through it, this will provide a shaded, interesting area for children to play in, and adults to walk through and enjoy, whilst also helping to mitigate flooding across the wider area, and providing food and shelter for numerous plants, fungi and animals.

The Woodland Trust will be donating 315 assorted saplings, and Buckinghamshire Council a further 98, which, between them, will fill this woodland area.

As trees take time to grow, the Parish Council will investigate ways of providing immediate shade around the play equipment area before summer 2027, to improve the comfort and safety of children and adults.

Images for the Future

Whilst we may lose a fair few trees to flooding and drought, particularly in the first couple of years as the saplings become established, the Woodland Trust will allow us to reapply each year until we have achieved our goal – a green, welcoming and sustainable space, to be enjoyed by Shabbington residents for generations to come.

Woodland

Damson Fruit

Oak Tree

Quince Fruit