Green-fingered students help plant native trees at Castleton Grange in Suffolk
14 April 2026
Students from Hartismere School in Eye have been learning more about native trees as they help with planting at our development opposite their school.
Persimmon Homes Suffolk invited the members of the eco club, and the school council, to join them at the Castleton Grange community.
Together with Stuart Barnes and Tim Mann, of GDC Landscapes, they helped the pupils understand more about the trees being planted in the communal areas of the 265-home development, and the role they play in attracting wildlife.
Pupils then helped plant tree whips, under the guidance of GDC Landscapes, and learnt about protecting the roots from damage, using mulch to encourage drainage, and adding guards to protect them in their early days.
The event coincided with International Day of Forests, which is designed to raise awareness about the vital role of all types of forests and trees in our eco system, and the importance of planting trees for the next generation. To further cement this message, GDC Landscapes donated some additional tree whips to the students to plant at the school.
Stuart Barnes, Director of GDC Landscapes, said: “Thank you to the students for helping us with the planting, we hope they took away from it a greater understanding of the important roles trees play in increasing biodiversity and how to care for newly-planted trees to ensure they have the best chance of thriving.”
Carl Walker, Assistant Site Manager at Castleton Grange, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the students to the site, we are keen to work with our neighbours and make a positive impact on the local community.
“Their efforts were much appreciated, and we hope they will return to see the trees as they grow in the months and years to come.”
Charlie Coupland, Eco Club Lead at Hartismere School, said: “We are grateful to Persimmon and GDC for inviting us to join them in this latest round of planting, it was wonderful to see the students getting outside and embracing the opportunity to learn new skills in a different environment.”
