TREES in Luton town centre have been given something of a summer makeover thanks to the latest street art craze.
St George’s Square trees have been ‘yarn bombed’ – the practise of using bright and colourful displays of knitted yarn to decorate monuments or trees in urban areas – to add a splash of colour to the town.
As well as brightening up the area, yarn bombing also plays an important role in keeping the trees healthy by helping protect them from vandalism.
All too commonly, vandals strip the bark off young trees which prevents them from growing properly. Last year, six trees in St George’s Square had their bark removed and died as a result.
Members of the public who look closely at the decorated trees will see a label warning of the damage that can be caused in this way.
Councillor Mohammed Ashraf said: “Yarn bombing is a really innovative and creative way to add some colour to St George’s Square while providing the trees with a measure of protection from vandalism.
“It is a low-cost solution which we are considering rolling out in other areas in the town if it proves successful. The cost of purchasing and replanting a tree far eclipses that of yarn bombing it, a factor which made the idea all the more appealing.”
Comments