On Sunday 27th April 2025, 15 volunteers from Nature Volunteer Network and the local community gathered at Shouldham Thorpe Allotment to create something truly special: a new patch of woodland.
Over the course of the warm, sunny afternoon, volunteers planted around 60 trees. A rich mix of native and naturalised species including oak, beech, white willow, alder, horse chestnut, maple, walnut, blackthorn, hawthorn, and wild cherry were planted. This project is an outcome of NVN’s “Don’t Chuck It, Pot It” scheme, which rescues young trees that would otherwise be discarded from gardens across West Norfolk. Instead of being uprooted and thrown away, these saplings were donated to NVN where they are lovingly nurtured and given a second chance to grow and thrive.
The project was made possible through a connection with Gordon from the Shouldham Thorpe Allotments. Gordon first met NVN volunteers at the Downham Wildlife Event back in February. After learning about the “Don’t Chuck It” scheme, he knew it could help bring his vision of a new woodland to life so a connection was made straight away.
“I couldn’t be happier — it’s my dream come true” Gordon said, smiling as the last trees were planted.
Sustainability was a key theme throughout the project: posts for supporting the trees were recycled from pallets, cable ties were reused, and the trees were protected with Twilweld wire tree guards — a non-plastic alternative to traditional guards.
NVN volunteers and local allotment members worked side by side, carefully watering in each tree and ensuring they had the best possible start. NVN will work with Gordon to check in on the site as the trees establish themselves over the coming months and years, including watering.
Julia from NVN baked a delicious cake which was shared amongst the team as they celebrated their hard work and the growing sense of community these projects inspire.
As NVN founder Trudy put it: “Nature truly needs all the help she can get. It’s lovely that through NVN, groups of people can come together to make a difference. We seem to get more people involved each time we organise an event showing people have a desire to help nature.”
With every tree planted and every event organised, NVN is proving that small acts of care and connection can add up to something truly powerful.
Reach out to Nature Volunteer Network to gift self-seeded saplings to the “Don’t chuck it, pot it” scheme or help us at a future event with tree planting or other skills you can bring.
