Off to a Cracking Start

The first trees in what will be Britain's biggest walnut woodland have been planted in The National Forest at Lount, near Ashby. At a special ceremony Mike Beasley, the Managing Director of Jaguar Cars, put in the first sapling - one of thousands of trees that are to be planted on what that was formerly farmland.

The new wood is a joint venture, bringing together the National Forest Company, the Forestry Commission and Jaguar Cars, famous for its use of walnut veneer. Representatives from all three were joined by forestry researchers from Horticulture Research International and the Northmoor Trust on the big day at Lount in November.

Mr Beasley said: "We are delighted to be associated with The National Forest, which is an important and exciting environmental initiative. At Lount, Jaguar is supporting the creation of the Forest in a way that demonstrates the ethos of our company in all its activities - one of innovation, quality and success."

Eventually around 10,000 walnut trees are to be planted on the 80 hectare (200 acre) site at Lount along with other trees to create an attractive woodland for the public to enjoy. The wood is also to have an experimental area in which research will be carried out into the growth of walnut trees, both for timber and as a source of fresh nuts.