WELLINGTON Town Council has agreed to support the Somerset Memorial Wood project by stumping up the funds to buy a number of giant Wellingtonia trees.

The memorial wood is a Somerset County Council initiative and involves planting trees in memory of those who fought and were killed in the First World War.

The woodland will lie with Cheddon Fitzpaine and West Monkton and donations from all parishes have been requested by the organisers to fund the planting and future maintenance.

Members of Wellington Town Council were told last week that the organisers had suggested they might like to plant Wellingtonia trees – officially known as Sequoiadendron Giganteum – and range in price from £40 to £150 per tree.

Councillors were told that young trees established well so the more expensive option might not necessarily be the best.

Cllr Vivienne Stock-Williams, speaking at the council’s finance committee meeting, said: “I would support this project.”

Cllr Mark Lithgow added: “I am in favour of us supporting this with the Wellingtonia tree – it is the right thing to do.”

Wellingtonia trees in the UK are evergreen conifers which can grow up to more than 50metres in height.

The tree species originates from the United States and its introduction in the UK is largely credited to Cornish plant hunter William Lobb who brought seed back to England in 1853.

The trees were initially given the name Wellingtonia in reference to the Duke of Wellington had died in 1852.

Councillors agreed at the finance committee to award £200 to the Somerset Memorial Wood project – a decision later ratified by the full council.

Cllr Will Brown asked: “Do we have to pay for the trees to be maintained?”

The Mayor, Cllr Gary James, replied: “I don’t think we will have to worry about that once these trees are fully grown (in reference to the fact that it takes up to 50 years for the Wellingtonia to reach 40metres in height).”

Cllr Marcus Barr quipped: “You can speak for yourself Mr Mayor – but Cllr Brown and myself might still be here!”

The Mayor answered: “Don’t push your luck!”