City of Trees tree planting sign in a woodland

Who we are

We are City of Trees

We are the Community Forest charity for the Greater Manchester area. We plant trees for people; trees to create better, greener places; to boost health and wellbeing; to enhance green skills; and to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency.

We’re rooted here in Greater Manchester, the place we live and work. We are proud to call Greater Manchester home and are passionate about making our region even better, one tree at a time as we grow our urban forest.

City of Trees launched in November 2015, as part of the Community Forest Trust (CFT), but we have strong roots in the region. Up until the launch of City of Trees, Red Rose Forest was the public face of CFT’s work in Greater Manchester, with a 25 year history working towards greening Greater Manchester. In July 2023, City of Trees became its own trust. We look forward to growing further.

Our pillars

We plant trees

We work with volunteers and landowners to plant trees and create new woodlands to make our region more resilient to climate change

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We look after trees

We work with communities, organisations and landowners to bring woodlands back to life to benefit people and wildlife.

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We promote a culture of trees

We inspire a passion for trees and woods by engaging the people of Greater Manchester with trees, woods and green spaces.

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Our values

People and places

We are deeply rooted in the communities of Greater Manchester. We live here. We work here. And we understand the difference that trees can make to our community.

We take a place-based approach, planting trees and transforming the spaces where people live, work and unwind. From street trees and schools to orchards and urban forests. And, through our Citizen Forester volunteer programme, people can connect with nature, learn new skills and give something back to their community.

Who we work with

Experienced and impact-focused

We plant trees, deliver events, enhance Greater Manchester’s woodlands and work with local businesses and communities. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and are a trusted partner with well-established networks to deliver tangible results – and plant millions of trees.

We get stuck in and get our hands dirty (often very dirty). Our track record speaks for itself, through our work across Greater Manchester and taking action on the climate emergency.

Our impact

Man smiling with spade whilst carrying out tree planting at site

Passionate & purpose-driven

Ours is a purpose-driven approach. Tree planting makes urban environments more resilient to climate change and the green spaces we create can boost health and wellbeing. Our Citizen Forester volunteer programme allows people to connect with nature, learn new skills and give something back to their community.

The communities, businesses and organisations we work with share this sense of purpose and see the impact we have together. We are proud that our work exists as a legacy for generations to come.

Our work

Volunteers listening to tree planting demo surrounded by whips

Our network and influence

England’s Community Forests

We are a diverse and growing network of 15 unique Community Forests, each working in partnership with their local communities, landowners and businesses to help nature recover and regenerate the landscapes in and around our largest towns and cities. We work together to support each other and amplify our voice nationally.

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Northern Forest

City of Trees is the Greater Manchester part of the Northern Forest that stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire coast, planting at least 50 million trees across the north of England. Every tree planted in Greater Manchester helps to grow City of Trees and the larger Northern Forest.

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Regional

We are a key partner of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, delivering on their natural environment objectives as set out in the region’s Five Year Environment Plan. City of Trees is bringing its experience, expertise and evidence base to support the development of the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

We coordinate the Greater Manchester Forests Partnership – a partnership of ten local authorities to discuss and plan at a strategic level the development of trees and woodlands across the city region.

We are part of several strategic groups including the Natural Capital Group and Urban Pioneer, Catchment partnerships, GM Wetlands partnership, Greater Sport Activity Network and Natural Course.

We are building relationships to unlock strategic support for both trees and woods across Greater Manchester and have the strong support of Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Blossom tree in blue. against red brick building