YOUNGSTERS scooped soil from the ground as they embraced the importance of the 'great outdoors'.
Children from Bladon Church of England Primary School near Woodstock planted 22 fruit trees on Tuesday, sowing seeds for a community orchard.
The group pulled on wellies and picked up shovels to plant the apple and pear trees in Bladon Recreation Ground, alongside members of Bladon Village Orchard Group.
Tracey Fletcher, headteacher of the Bladon school, said: "By planting and tending these fruit trees together, we hope that children will develop a strong sense of the importance of trees and orchards to wildlife, biodiversity and people, which they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
She thanked Bladon resident Gillian Forrest, and the Bladon Village Hall Committee, for their 'valuable contribution'.
The planting was largely funded by charity The Tree Council, with help from the Rotary Club. National Tree Week runs until Sunday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here