Happiness blossoms for fruit tree winners

27 May 2016

It’s been a fruitful time for lucky residents who won free fruit trees in a give-away for council tenants.
Thirty people signed up to receive a free cherry or plum dwarf-tree last month within two hours of the offer being announced.

Now trees have been given to residents who are planting them in gardens or on their balconies.

Christine Justice from Totley was one of the lucky winners. She said: “The tree’s wonderful. It’s growing really nicely, really coming on.

“I didn’t think I’d ever get it when I applied. I was so excited. It’s the first thing I think I’ve ever won.

“We’re hopefully going to be eating the plums late summer and making plum pies and crumble.”

Councillor Jayne Dunn, cabinet member for housing at Sheffield City Council, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to fund a small number of fruit trees for council tenants and I hope they enjoy them.

“They look great. They’re only dwarf trees so they won’t grow too big but will encourage bees and wildlife in people’s gardens as well as producing fruit.”

The trees were selected by the council’s Community Forestry Team which supports the planting of trees in parks and open spaces, and involves local people in improving their environment.

All trees have been allocated and the offer is now closed.