We are proud to have planted a record 3,172 standard (large, semi-mature) trees across the region during the last planting season.
Working together with the borough’s local authorities, new large trees have been planted in all corners of the region. From Sycamore Road in Bury where 17 trees were planted, across GM to Moss Lane East in Manchester, with 22 new trees lining the roadside.
In March, ten semi mature cherry trees were planted at rugby league club Salford City Roosters. Club members and environmental consultancy, TEP joined us on the day. TEPs company’s director, Fran Hesketh, also made a generous donation towards the planting to mark 40 years in the environmental sector.
We have also worked with social housing provider Onward Homes to plant 132 standard trees across 20 locations. This will enhance the green spaces for those who live there. Species such as Amelanchier Arborea Robin Hill and the double-flowered Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ were planted to produce beautiful blooms for residents to enjoy come spring. The standard planting also complements woodland creation where smaller trees (whips) were planted with the local community at three sites in Tameside and Bolton.
“Our team of tree specialists worked closely with City of Trees and customers to improve local spaces and provide a thriving environment for new trees, which involved working together to check planting locations and selecting native species that will establish new habitats for wildlife, have low maintenance costs and create a more attractive, greener environment.
It was great to see the difference this has made, with our colleagues and customers coming together to improve local spaces”.
Joanne Danaher, Director of Housing and Home Ownership, Onward Homes
As a community forest, we focus on connecting people with trees and woodlands through their ‘Citizen Forester’ volunteer programme. This year we have planted trees at a record number of schools in the region, engaging with 3,600 children (mini Citizen Foresters). We teach them about the benefits of trees and how to create healthier, happier, and more biodiverse learning environments by greening their school grounds.
This year we have planted whips (smaller trees) at over 100 sites across Greater Manchester, creating over 54 hectares of new woodlands. From playing fields to golf clubs and schools to privately owned sites, our team has worked with a wide variety of landowners to create woodlands to grow the region’s urban forest. This is supported by Trees for Climate, a woodland creation programme managed by us and funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (through the Nature for Climate Fund).
“We’re delighted to have planted so many trees across the region this year. Our trees play an important role in tackling the climate emergency – they help to make our urban areas more resilient to the challenges of a rapidly changing environment, as well as greening our communities. That’s why we need to plant more trees, now.
We have funding available to support landowners in planting trees and creating woodlands on their land. City of Trees has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is a trusted partner in planting millions of trees, so please contact us to discuss how you can make a difference.”
Beth Kelsall, Delivery Manager, City of Trees