The council has set out targets to increase canopy cover to 30 per cent in all wards and plant at least 10,000 trees by 2030 to kick start this process, which included a then record of 1,500 last year.
This planting season included the transformation of three more plots into tiny forests, and the council has planted a total of 665 trees in the borough’s streets, housing estates and parks across 2023/24.
Local schoolchildren and volunteers teamed up with Earthwatch Europe and the council’s Tree and Nature Conservation Team to establish a tennis-court sized tiny forest of 600 native saplings at Belmont Recreation Ground, New River Sports Ground and The Devonshire Hill Nursery and Primary School.
These sites store carbon in trees, mitigate flooding, attract wildlife, improve air quality and provide an accessible green space and outdoor classroom for local communities to connect with nature.
The council planted its first tiny forest in White Hart Lane Recreation Ground in October 2022.
Cllr Mike Hakata, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport said:
I’m very proud that we have planted almost 2,500 trees this year and want to thank our partners and the community for helping to make this another record for our borough.
Trees play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of our residents and are key to our vision of building a fairer, greener borough.
We will be planting thousands more trees whilst continuing to do all we can to protect the mature and veteran trees of the borough.
To help with the planting push, last year the council expanded its trees team from two to seven, with an officer dedicated to planting and another to the developing Urban Forest programme.
Biodiversity and climate resilience is also being addressed through a meadow planting programme, the co-produced community green spaces programme, rainwater gardens and other flood management programmes, as well as the work to protect and enhance the borough’s ancient woodlands.
Another record-breaking tree planting year has been made possible with support from key partners, including The Conservation Volunteers, Earthwatch Europe, Trees for Streets and Friends groups, as well as the local community.
Funding was secured by the council from the Forestry’s Commission Local Authority Treescape Fund for the three tiny forests, which were further supported by Kier, WFH Foundation and Funding Circle.
