a NEW initiative to provide every garden in the Stoke Climsland parish with a free tree will begin next week.

The Tamar Valley Orchards Volunteers Group has created a plan to provide a free fruit tree over the next three years as a response to the climate change crisis and Cornwall Council’s plan to plant as many new trees as possible in the county.

Residents in the area will have the chance to attend grafting sessions where they will be taught to graft apple and pear trees — the first one will take place on Saturday, March 21 at the Old School community centre.

The 20-year-old group has organised and is funding the project. Volunteers aim to help preserve old local varieties of trees and encourage their replanting in the Tamar landscape, while helping to spread the use of locally and organically grown produce.

Caroline Vulliamy, a member of the group, encourages everyone in the parish to take part in the new initiative.

Caroline said: ‘We, in the group, have done projects in the past to try and help make sure that local varieties of apple and cherry trees survive locally and we do what we can to pass these on to everyone.’

There are more than 500 homes in Stoke Climsland which would be eligible for a free tree.

‘Providing these trees for free is a new project for us and we are going all out for it.

‘We are inviting people to come to work parties and learn how to graft young trees and show people how to graft the old varieties on to new rootstocks.

‘People can also choose what type of tree they want and what size.’

Caroline added: ‘Growing your own fruit tree is an important way of not importing fruit from overseas and also knowing that the fruit has not been sprayed. It is also a way for people to have fruit for free on their own doorstep.’

The first grafting session on March 21 is open for ten people. There will be two working parties a year for the spring and summer seasons. The summer season will provide a budding session where people will be taught about how to bud other fruits, including cherry and apricot.

After the sessions, people will be able to take the trees straight home, or have the option for the group to look after the young tree for a year, during which time they will be taught how to maintain them.

Booking is advised but not essential. To book, call the Old School in the mornings on 01579 370493.