CHILDREN from Redruth Library’s weekly Rhymetime group were invited to plant a ‘knowledge tree’ in East End Park on Friday, January 17.

Owned by Redruth Town Council, East End Park has been the site of many of Redruth Library’s outdoor activities, including Rhymetime last summer. Assisted by Redruth Town Council’s Facilities Team, the children got stuck in helping to shovel earth around the roots of the tree.

In addition to learning proper tree-planting techniques, there were lots of other educational opportunities for all involved. An earthworm prompted an opportunity to learn about the important role worms play in helping trees and other plants grow.

Redruth’s Town Clerk Charlotte Caldwell said: “It was wonderful to attend the tree planting ceremony in what was almost Springlike weather as the sun was shining down on East End playing fields.

“It was fabulous to watch the children from our library Rhymetime session enjoying being so close to nature and seeing their enthusiasm for having a go at being green-fingered gardeners! We hope the tree blossoms with beautiful white flowers for everyone to enjoy.”

The sapling, a native whitebeam was gifted to Redruth Library by Forest for Cornwall. Although it is an ornamental species which has white blossom in the spring, it also produces red berries enjoyed by wildlife like birds in the late summer into the autumn.

Facilities team manager Chris Strugnell said: “Thank you to Forests for Cornwall and Redruth Library for providing a wonderful tree for us to plant. It was a great turnout of children who helped us to plant the tree. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy watching it grow as they grow up.”

Following the tree-planting Ceremony, children were presented with a copy of the Collins Nature: Spy it! Score it! to add to help the children learn more about the world around them.