Whip out your wellies to help us plant thousands of new trees across the Borough!

Thousands of new trees are sprouting up all over the Borough thanks to our popular Trees in Stockton-on-Tees initiative, and you can help plant thousands more!

The second wave of planting is now underway in the ambitious two-year project which will help tackle climate change and improve local communities by planting around 24,000 new trees.

Last winter the Council worked with residents, schools, businesses and partners to establish new trees throughout the Borough, primarily in areas with low tree canopy cover and high levels of deprivation (based on Forestry Commission criteria).

The new planting programme was launched last month with a special commemorative tree planted at Daffodil Park in Billingham, as part of the Queen's Green Canopy (QGC), along with 400 assorted new trees.

Between now and February thousands of new trees will also be going in the ground at Tilery Park, Gilside Road, Mill Lane, High Newham Road, Rochester Road and the Common, Thornaby.

Come along to our community planting days on:

•        Saturday 17 December - Tilery Park, Stockton
•        Saturday 21 January - The Common, Thornaby
•        Saturday 28 January - Mill Lane, Billingham
•        Saturday 18 February - Rochester Road, Roseworth

In March a Community Orchard will also be created by planting 80 fruit trees in Newham Grange Park.

Councillor Mike Smith, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "During the first wave of planting we saw such a wonderful response from residents young and old who turned out in force to help with Trees in Stockton-on-Tees.

"Planting more trees in towns and cities has a hugely positive impact on people and our environment and helps tackle 'green inequality' in more deprived areas.

"We want to encourage community ownership of trees and woodlands, as well as find new ways of managing trees and woodlands for future sustainability. So, I would once again urge residents, schools, businesses and other organisations to get your wellies on and get involved with this hugely beneficial initiative."

Working alongside UK charity Trees for Cities and other partners, The Council secured £360,000 total funding to plant thousands of young trees (whips), as well as hundreds of fruit trees and standard trees over two winters.

Trees in Stockton-on-Tees also celebrates the Borough's trees, new and old, raising awareness of their value and involve local communities in tree planting, aftercare and other activities. It is hoped this will just be the start of an on-going programme of tree/ woodland planting and management across the Borough.

Anyone who would like to get involved, not just in the planting but also with long term tree management and maintenance, can email treeproject@stockton.gov.uk

For Council news direct to your inbox sign up to our My Council Newsletter.