Stroud teenager Tom Pedder has found the perfect home for a horse chestnut he grew from a conker – the park near his home.
The 14-year-old Marling pupil has planted his tree in Daisy Bank Park, where he hopes it will now thrive.
“I planted it as a joke about six years ago and left it in a pot under the bench at home,” explains Tom, who is in Year 9. “Then I remembered it about a year later and noticed it had started to grow and I looked after it.”
His dad Joe Pedder, contacted Stroud Town Council, which manages Daisy Bank and other green spaces in the town to see if the now six-year-old tree could be found a good home as it was outgrowing its pots.
Green Spaces manager Chris Woolner loved the idea. “When Tom and Joe got in touch and said they had a tree that needed to be released and enjoyed by others I jumped at it,” said Chris.
“Conkers are often the first time children learn about seeds. Trees are an important part of our green spaces but chestnuts especially because of those memories we have of playing with conkers as children.
“It would be great to think that in years to come, Tom may be able to visit the park when he has his own family and he can show them the tree he grew.”
Tom has also been planting trees as part of his volunteering for his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
“It’s been interesting that since we moved to Daisy Bank I’ve seen young trees planted in the park grow and change. It will be nice to watch how mine grows, now that it isn’t in a pot anymore,” said Tom.
