St Lawrence Trees for Life

Growing together for nature, children and future generations

At Diddydots Nursery, we believe that children learn best when they can explore, discover and connect with the natural world around them. St Lawrence Trees for Life is a wonderful community partnership between Essex Forestry Initiative, St Lawrence Parish Council and Diddydots Nursery, creating a living, growing space for our children, families, wildlife and the wider community.

 Growing our woodland

In February 2025, volunteers, parents and children from Diddydots came together to plant a mixed native woodland, fruit trees and fruit bushes on a previously open area of land within our village.

What began with the planting of our first trees is now developing into a beautiful outdoor learning and play space. The woodland gives children the opportunity to get hands-on with nature — digging in the soil, discovering insects, exploring organic matter, learning about composting and seeing first-hand how plants and wildlife depend upon one another.

Our children aren’t simply learning about nature — they are helping to create it. 

 

A place for wildlife

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The woodland is being designed with wildlife at its heart. Our trees and shrubs provide shelter, shade and habitats, while our fruit trees and bushes support pollinating insects and other species.

In February 2026, our nursery children and volunteers added even more wildlife-friendly features, including a bee and bug hotel and a hedgehog home.

These natural habitats give children the opportunity to observe wildlife up close and develop an understanding of the important role every creature plays within a healthy ecosystem.

Our community orchard

Alongside our native woodland, we have planted a wonderful collection of local and heritage fruit varieties, creating a small community orchard for everyone to enjoy as it grows.

Our fruit trees include:

• Pearl – dessert apple

• Gansel Bergamot – dessert pear

• Maldon Wonder – dessert apple

• Johnny Mount Pear – dessert pear

• Flame – dessert apple

• Edith Hopwood – dessert apple

• Sturmer Pippin – dessert apple

• Discovery – dessert apple

• Darcey Spice – dessert apple

• Stanway Seedling – culinary apple

• Eros – dessert apple

• Burrells Red – plum

• Nolan Pippin – dessert apple

• Chelmsford Wonder – culinary apple

• Improved Fertility – dessert pear

• Excelsior – culinary apple

As these trees mature, they will provide blossom for pollinators, fruit for our community and a wonderful opportunity for children to understand where food comes from.

 

Our native woodland

The native trees planted throughout the site include:

Common Oak • Green Beech • Silver Birch • Alder • Hornbeam • Rowan • Field Maple • Hazel • Crab Apple • Elder • Dogwood

Together, these trees will create a rich and diverse habitat for birds, insects, mammals and other wildlife.

They will also help to provide shade and shelter for Diddydots, capture carbon and enhance the natural environment of our village.

 

 Learning together

In July 2025, interpretation panels were designed and installed throughout the site, helping children, families and visitors discover more about the woodland, its wildlife and the importance of caring for our natural environment.

This is very much an extension of our Diddydots ethos — encouraging curiosity, wonder, exploration and a genuine connection with the world around us.

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Growing for the future

St Lawrence Trees for Life is more than simply planting trees. It is about planting opportunities, creating habitats, bringing our community together and giving children something that will continue to grow long after they have left the nursery.

Through the continued involvement of Diddydots children and families, volunteers, the Parish Council and our wider community, we are creating a thriving woodland that will benefit people and wildlife for generations to come.

Small hands. Big dreams. Growing together. 

St Lawrence Trees for Life — a living legacy for our village, our children and our future.

 

 

Get involved

We are always looking for volunteers to come and help us care for and develop the woodland. If you can spare some time and would like to get involved, please contact Diddydots Nursery — we would love to hear from you.