Midland reafforesting association
Encyclopedia
The Midland Reafforesting Association (MRA) was an early environmental organisation concerned with facilitating the planting of trees on land degraded by previous industrial activity. Such work was motivated by the aims of promoting landscape enhancement, improving the local environment and achieving the restoration of land to more productive land uses.
Based in the Black Country
, the Association were formally established at a public meeting in the city of Birmingham
on the 12th February 1903. The first President of the Association was Sir Oliver Lodge - a distinguished scientist of the day and pioneer of wireless telegraphy. Other notable supporters included the future Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin
, the Earl of Dudley
and Henry Norman
. By being registered as a Friendly Society, the Association was able to own its own land. It also planted on private and council owned land - often using trees raised from seed in the Association's own nurseries.
Achieving some significant successes in promoting tree planting, arranging Arbor Day
s and furthering the scientific understanding of restoring degraded land, the MRA were ultimately largely unsuccessful in delivering large scale afforestation in the Black Country and were wound up in 1925. Their legacy however remains - not least in their largest plantation at a hospital site called Moorcroft which was named a Local Nature Reserve
in 1996.
*Alnus glutinosa - comman alder
*Alnus incana - grey alder
*Populus x euramericana 'serotina' - black Italian poplar
*Salix spp - willows
*Betula Pendular - wych elm
*Fraxinus excelsior - ash
*Acer pseudoplatanus - sycamore
Based in the Black Country
Black Country
The Black Country is a loosely defined area of the English West Midlands conurbation, to the north and west of Birmingham, and to the south and east of Wolverhampton. During the industrial revolution in the 19th century this area had become one of the most intensely industrialised in the nation...
, the Association were formally established at a public meeting in the city of Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
on the 12th February 1903. The first President of the Association was Sir Oliver Lodge - a distinguished scientist of the day and pioneer of wireless telegraphy. Other notable supporters included the future Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars...
, the Earl of Dudley
Earl of Dudley
Earl of Dudley, of Dudley Castle in the County of Stafford, is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, both times for members of the Ward family. This family descends from Sir Humble Ward, the son of a wealthy goldsmith and jeweller to King Charles I...
and Henry Norman
Henry Norman
Sir Henry Norman, 1st Baronet PC was an English journalist and Liberal politician. Norman was educated privately in France and at Harvard University, where he obtained his B.A...
. By being registered as a Friendly Society, the Association was able to own its own land. It also planted on private and council owned land - often using trees raised from seed in the Association's own nurseries.
Achieving some significant successes in promoting tree planting, arranging Arbor Day
Arbor Day
Arbor Day is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. It originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States during 1872 by J. Sterling Morton. The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872, and an estimated 1 million trees were planted that day.Many...
s and furthering the scientific understanding of restoring degraded land, the MRA were ultimately largely unsuccessful in delivering large scale afforestation in the Black Country and were wound up in 1925. Their legacy however remains - not least in their largest plantation at a hospital site called Moorcroft which was named a Local Nature Reserve
Local Nature Reserve
Local nature reserve or LNR is a designation for nature reserves in the United Kingdom. The designation has its origin in the recommendations of the Wild Life Conservation Special Committee which established the framework for nature conservation in the United Kingdom and suggested a national suite...
in 1996.
Species Selection
In their experimental work, the MRA found the tree species that were best suited to the inhospitable conditions and climate of pit mounds were:*Alnus glutinosa - comman alder
*Alnus incana - grey alder
*Populus x euramericana 'serotina' - black Italian poplar
*Salix spp - willows
*Betula Pendular - wych elm
*Fraxinus excelsior - ash
*Acer pseudoplatanus - sycamore
See also
- Black Country Urban ForestBlack Country Urban ForestThe Black Country Urban Forest is a partnership of the voluntary sector and local government with the aim of making urban forestry the characteristic landscape of one of England's industrial areas, The Black Country....
- ForestryForestryForestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
- ReforestationReforestationReforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation....
- AfforestationAfforestationAfforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no forest. Reforestation is the reestablishment of forest cover, either naturally or artificially...
- National Urban Forestry Unit