Bovey Tracey celebrates town’s community effort with new feature for local park

A new cherry tree has been planted in Bovey Tracey as a thank you to residents and businesses who helped the town once again secure a gold award in this year’s South West in Bloom competition.

The tree was planted by the Mayor of Bovey Tracey in Mill Marsh Park, a popular green space used regularly by local families and visitors. 

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Over time, it is expected to provide shade and shelter during the summer months as it grows.

The planting took place earlier today (Wednesday, December 17), despite persistent wet weather on a day that had a Yellow Weather Warning in the South West. 

Town council employees Peter Stanyon and Roger Rance prepared the site in advance to allow the ceremony to go ahead.

The Mayor, Cllr Sheila Brooke, said the tree was both a gesture of thanks and part of the town council’s wider environmental commitments.

“We’re committed to planting as many trees as we can in Bovey Tracey as part of our green pledge made a few years ago,” she said.

“We’ve been very fortunate that this sapling has been donated by Devon Wildlife Trust’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes initiative, and it’s what they call a Landmark Tree.

“We’re putting it here to say thank you to all the residents and businesses who have worked so tirelessly over the last few years to achieve such great results at the South West in Bloom competition.”

The planting was also supported by local resident Richard Taylor, who is a member of the Friends of Mill Marsh Park group. 

Cllr Brooke highlighted his long-standing involvement in the town’s Bloom efforts.

“Richard started the South West in Bloom project for the town many years ago and has been our chief instigator ever since, so many thanks in particular to him,” she said.

Friends of Mill Marsh Park are now planning to create a tree register for the park, helping to record and protect its growing collection of mature trees.

Mr Taylor said the addition of the cherry tree was a welcome one for the community.

“Mill Marsh Park is enjoyed by many people in the town and those who come from far afield,” he said. “It’s one of the best parks in the area. It’s marvellous to have another tree planted here.”

Town council employee Peter Stanyon also shared some practical advice during the planting, explaining how best to help the tree establish itself.

“Plant it in a square hole to prevent the root growth from going in a circle and keeping close in,” he said.

“Instead, in a square hole the roots will meet a corner and penetrate out.”

The planting comes as Mill Marsh Park continues to ‘punch above its weight’ in the annual South West in Bloom competition. 

A recent arboricultural survey of the park identified the presence of several ‘champion’ trees, which are among the largest of their species in the country.

Plans are now being developed to formally recognise these trees in the New Year and to improve the park’s existing Tree Trail, helping residents and visitors learn more about the landscape.

The new cherry tree is expected to become another long-term feature of the park, linking community pride, environmental care and Bovey Tracey’s continued success in regional competitions.