Metro Mayor Dan Norris MP joined local volunteers to celebrate the opening of a brand new community tree nursery at Great Avon Wood.

The project he visited on August 12 stemmed from a collaboration between Avon Needs Trees and More Trees B&NES. 

The celebration took place at the new nursery, where attendees gathered in the sunshine to enjoy speeches, cake, and a walk to take in the view across the recently planted Great Avon Wood, and the ancient Publow Oak.  

Dave Wood, Avon Needs Trees CEO, said: “It’s wonderful to come together to celebrate this fantastic achievement at Great Avon Wood. Thank you to our amazing team and community of local volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this new community tree nursery happen.

“I also want to thank the WECA who funded the delivery of the Great Avon Wood project including the nursery, and More Trees BANES who contributed 50 per cent of the build cost, and all their support and expertise.” 

So far, Avon Needs Trees has planted 21,000 native trees at the site supplied by the Woodland Trust, with the help of over 1,000 local volunteers.  

Sandra Tuck, development manager for the community tree nurseries, agreed that there is lots to celebrate: “More Trees BANES is thrilled to be partnering with Avon Needs Trees for their new tree community nursery, the 17th in our network. It's been really rewarding to advise Avon Needs Trees on the build and to work with them to train a group of local volunteers who are caring for the trees.”. 

Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England and local MP, said: “Last Monday I was thrilled to help open the new tree community nursery at the Great Avon Wood in Publow. It was a wonderful event, joining key partners and the local community to celebrate together. I walked part of the 100-acre site with my dog, Angel, visiting the estimated 1,000 year old Publow Oak and seeing the fantastic work being done there to enrich and save our planet for the future.   

“From planting new forests to helping our pollinators thrive, I’ve been working to make the West of England the most nature-friendly region in the country, supporting our ecological and environmental ambitions, as well as our drive to net zero.” 

Chew Valley Plants Trees is coordinating the care and watering of the Pensford nursery. Email for more information: [email protected]