A ‘micro urban woodland’ has sprouted in Cork’s northside.

Over 500 native Irish trees have been planted by local kids as part of the Gurranabraher and Churchfield Green Spine Initiative, a project designed to enhance biodiversity in the area.

Nicknamed the Groovee Grove, the copse of trees includes birch, alder, hazel, Scots pine, oak, hawthorn, willow and rowan, all growing on a quarter acre south-facing bank opposite the grotto at Sun Valley Park.

The HSE Health Action Zone (HAZ) Project and Youth Work Ireland Cork are leading the project, which is funded and supported by Cork City Council. The trees were sourced by local group “Treesplease” whose nursery is based at council-owned Churchfield allotments, with close planting to enable high carbon capture from the atmosphere.

“The Groovee Grove has been a great vehicle to get local young people involved in their community through the Green Spine Initiative,” said Joe Curtain, a youth worker at Gurranabraher youth centre, The Hut.

“The planting has really given them a sense of ownership of the area and really grown local interest in biodiversity so they will look after it into the future. Also, the trees are going to massively enhance the area.”

Another 28 apple trees were also planted with Scoil Padre Pio, St Mary’s Primary Care Campus (orthopaedic), B45 Preschool and at Sun Valley Park. A second Groovee Grove is being established on the rooftop of The Hut and an Oak Ogham Circle is being developed in the Quad of St Marys Campus with HSE staff.

An event will be held next month to welcome the trees and to help local youth and community groups to support the trees as they grow.