We plant trees
Tree planting
Trees and woodlands play an ever-more important role in addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency . They create healthier, happier communities, tackle the climate crisis head on, reconnect us to our natural world, and provide essential habitats for wildlife. Trees and woods ensure our urban areas are economically, socially and environmentally more sustainable and resilient.
The argument for trees is clear, and the best time to act is now. 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 suburban woodlands – it’s all part of our urban forest.
Benefits of tree planting
Trees play an important role in tackling the climate emergency – multifunctional, living tools that help make our urban areas more resilient to the challenges of a rapidly changing environment. They can:
- Improve poor air quality – particularly important in our rapidly populating urban areas
- Cool our cities and towns
- Lock up carbon
- Boost our wellbeing – leading to us living healthier and happier lives
- Create habitats for wildlife, boosting biodiversity in the region
Trees and woods help to connect communities and ensure our urban areas are economically, socially and environmentally more sustainable – this is vital in the current times.
Trees planted in the Greater Manchester area play a major role in alleviating flood risk in multiple river catchment areas and helping to increase our resilience to flooding. They intercept water on their leaves, branches and twigs helping to delay the rate at which it hits the ground below and runs off into streams and rivers. The roots of trees also create spaces in the ground to allow water to drain or infiltrate into the soil below.
Examples of tree planting
Woodland creation
Standards (larger trees)
Orchards
Spotlight on…
Greenbooth Reservoir
City of Trees biggest scheme to date…
At Greenbooth we have planted 10.69 net HA in February 2023 – that’s close to 15 football pitches! 17,242 trees were planted over 49 compartments at Greenbooth Reservoir, near Rochdale, as part of a scheme led by City of Trees and partnered with landowners, United Utilities. Planting was completed by contractors, Tilhill who are experienced in delivering planting schemes at such scale.
The individual areas were planted with prescribed wet and dry woodland species mixtures and areas of scrub. Five different planting mixes were used across the site reflecting their position on the slope and drainage.
The purpose was to both protect and enhance the landscape, whilst offering benefits to wildlife and local communities and visitors to the site.
“This new planting alongside the reservoir will enhance conservation habitats already established in the area and create a better environment for the local community in this area.”
Andy Long, Woodlands Officer
