George's Wood

George Laks was born in Poland in 1919 and led a colourful life by anyone’s standards. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, he fled from the Nazis on a push bike to the Russian controlled sector of Poland, however he refused Russian citizenship and was then sentenced to 12 years hard labour. Thankfully George was released after 18 months but he then had to fight the war serving with the Polish Air Force. After the war George settled in North West England and, in 1974, bought this plot of land in Bury where he planted 8,000 trees. Ahead of his time in many ways, George understood the importance of woodlands and was also keen to leave a lasting legacy. In 1995 George donated his land to The Woodland Trust and continued to visit it regularly before his death in December 2013. George’s family have planted a Silver Birch in his memory and his ashes have been scattered in this peaceful little wood that bears his name.
Species: 
Japanese larch, Scot's pine, sycamore, ash, beech, sweet chestnut, horse chestnut, oak.
Category: 
History
Public or private land: 
Unknown

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