Virginia Hayward sees trees of green

Dorset-based hamper and gift supplier/cataloguer Virginia Hayward is working to reduce its carbon footprint by planting a further 3,300 trees in what has become known as Millennium Wood.

The project was started by Virginia Hayward director Geoff Hayward along with his wife and codirector Gin. The couple began planting trees on 4.5 hectares of land near the Virginia Hayward offices in 2000, with the primary objective being to “transform some of our unused land into a wooded area that would be full of native British trees and home to wildlife.”
Following ten years of growth, the Haywards decided to expand and in April 2010 arranged for 3,300 trees to be planted near to the existing woodland taking the total area to 6.5 hectares. In association with Devon-based Thornhayes Nursery, a variety of indigenous trees were planted, including oak, ash, cherry, crack willow, and spindleberry.

According to Hayward, the planting is a continuation of the company’s commitment to reuse and recycle where possible. “We wanted to go the extra mile and do something which would directly reduce our carbon footprint,” he says, “as well as leave a lasting and beautiful legacy.”