Here's where the first of nearly 16,000 new trees will be planted in the borough - and how you can help plant them!

And the Council can now reveal the provisional locations for the first wave of planting in the Trees in Stockton-on-Tees initiative - and how residents, schools, charities and businesses can join in the exciting two-year project which will help tackle climate change and improve local communities.

Tell me more about Trees in Stockton-on-Tees

The Council, in partnership with national charity Trees for Cities, has secured £360,000 total funding to plant 15,000 young trees (whips), 400 fruit trees and 450 standard trees over the next two winters to improve the Borough's canopy cover.

The initiative will also celebrate 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.

Where are the first trees being planted?

A Community Tree and Woodland Officer will be working with residents, partners and councillors to establish trees throughout the borough, primarily in areas with low tree canopy cover and high levels of deprivation (based on Forestry Commission criteria). The first provisional locations and trees to be planted (weather and Covid dependent) are:

• Primrose Hill Park, Stockton - 1,500 whips, 17 to 22 January
• Rochester Road, Stockton - 1,000 whips, 24 to 29 January
• Warkworth Road, Billingham - 1,000 whips, 31 January to 5 February
• Allison Trainer Park, Thornaby - 1,000 whips, 14 to 19 February
• Master Road, Thornaby - 3,000 whips, 21 February to 5 March

In addition to these, 300 standard trees and 300 fruit trees will be planted this winter at numerous locations throughout the borough.

Sounds great - how can I get involved?

Community tree planting events will be held on the Saturday of each planting week. If you'd like to get involved at any of these events please email us at treeproject@stockton.gov.uk. Title your email with the location you are interested in and leave your name, postcode and how many in your party may be attending.

Why are trees important?

Because trees absorb carbon tree planting will contribute to the Council's ambitions for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

But trees bring multiple benefits to communities, including providing habitats and increasing biodiversity, improving air quality, reducing flood risk, and having a positive impact on health and well-being. Trees can even increase property values.

What do councillors think?

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "As well as increasing tree and woodland cover throughout the Borough, we want to raise awareness of the importance of trees and provide opportunities to celebrate them.

"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 urge residents, schools, businesses and other organisations to get your wellies out, and get involved with this hugely beneficial initiative."

Where is the money coming from for Trees in Stockton-on-Tees?

The first round of funding has been already been secured from Local Authority Treescapes Fund (£111,000), Urban Tree Challenge Fund 3 (£83,700), and Green Recovery Challenge Fund 2 (£63,000). 

Tell me more about Trees for Cities

National charity Trees for Cities was awarded a grant in July 2021 from the Government's £40million second round of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, a multi-million-pound boost for green jobs and nature recovery. The funding of over £1.2million secured by Trees for Cities will specifically focus on increasing tree cover in smaller coastal cities and towns with lower than average tree canopy cover and high levels of socio-economic deprivation.

Around 55,000 trees will be planted across 83 locations in seven coastal towns and cities through community tree planting events designed to green and revitalise coastal urban areas, engage local communities with nature and inspire a new generation to plant and protect urban trees.

Trees for Cities is working with the Field Studies Council, Treeconomics, Forest Research and local partners to deliver this project. The project is also part of The Queen's Green Canopy, and local residents will get the chance to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 by inviting people to 'Plant a Tree for the Jubilee'.