Tree planting to honour mayor’s year in office

A tree has been planted to mark Cllr Linda Mascot’s time in office as Mayor of Chelmsford. Cllr Mascot chose to plant a Norwegian Maple Princeton Gold tree in her local park, Chelmer Park.

Cllr Mascot was elected as Chelmsford’s mayor in May 2023 and will continue in the role until May 2024.

The tree planting and commemoration to the mayor took place on Friday 1 December 2023.

Cllr Rose Moore, Cabinet Member for a Greener and Safer Chelmsford, shared a welcoming speech. She explained more about the tree being planted:

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“The Norwegian Maple Princeton Gold is a relatively new cultivated tree. It has golden yellow spring foliage which hardens to a beautiful yellow/gold colour, turning to light greens as the summer progresses. It is suited to UK soil, tolerates air pollution and resists drought. The tree is also favoured by King Charles III, who has planted them at most of the Royal Estates across the country and at the new arboretum being established at Barcham Nurseries near Ely, where this tree was grown.”

Cllr Rose Moore, Cabinet Member for a Greener and Safer Chelmsford

Following the planting, the mayor was presented with a special inscribed spade to keep and remember her time in office.

Giving thanks to the Parks team

Whilst planting her tree, the Mayor of Chelmsford gave thanks to the city council’s Parks team and specifically a member of staff who is due to retire in the spring. David Ford, an Arboricultural Officer, has worked at Chelmsford City Council for over 40 years and planted more than 40 mayoral trees during his career, alongside thousands more trees, plants and other greenery. Cllr Mascot thanked David and the Parks team for their service in keeping Chelmsford green and thriving, and making such tree planting events possible.

Cllr Mascot went on to speak about the importance of regular tree planting in the city:

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“I’m honoured to be able to plant a tree to commemorate my mayoral year. I’ll be able to visit regularly and look forward to watching the beautiful maple tree flourish and change throughout the seasons.

Increasing the number of trees in Chelmsford is so important. It keeps the city looking not only beautiful, but it has a profound impact on the city’s vitality. Trees provide shade, improve air quality and enhance the overall wellbeing of Chelmsford’s residents. In planting this tree, it symbolises not only my year as Chelmsford’s mayor but also the intention for creating a greener and more sustainable future for Chelmsford’s future generations.”

Cllr Linda Mascot, Mayor of Chelmsford

Chelmsford’s tree giveaway

Earlier this year, the city council announced it had 1,000 trees to give away to Chelmsford residents. The trees were swiftly snapped up and its nearly time for people to collect their allocated tree.

As a reminder, the collection points and times are as follows:

• Thursday 7 December 2023: Compass Gardens, 10am to 2pm
• Friday 8 December 2023: Melbourne Park, 10am to 2pm
• Saturday 9 December 2023: Bell Meadows Plaza, 9:30am to 1pm (this is the concrete area opposite Marks and Spencer at the entrance to Central Park)

Residents taking part in the scheme will need to show their confirmation email and proof of their address on arrival. Residents are also asked to bring their own bag or container. The trees are approximately 40–60cm high, so are not difficult to transport. Staff from the Parks team will be on hand to offer planting and care guidance.