Council calls for more community tree planting
Buckinghamshire Council is celebrating National Tree Week by announcing plans to expand the scope of its Bucks Tree Mission project - which has planted over 216,000 trees on council-owned land during the past four years.
Last winter, five new woodlands were planted across the county, from Billet Field Wood, by Black Park in the south, to Roddimore Wood, near Winslow in the north. This took the total number of new woodlands established under the Bucks Tree Mission to nine.
The next phase of the Bucks Tree Mission will provide new opportunities outside of council-owned land to encourage individuals and organisations to get involved with tree planting and help to achieve the ambition of planting over half a million new trees by 2030.
Ade Osibogun, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Waste, said:
“Landowners, property developers, community groups, or enthusiasts will have an opportunity to contribute towards planting more trees across the county, bringing huge benefits to both people and planet. Not only do trees enhance our environment, promote biodiversity, and mitigate flood risk, they also help to reduce carbon emissions and improve green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“I’m looking forward to getting hands-on at some community planting events over the coming weeks and would encourage everyone to look out for similar opportunities. It’s a great way to do something positive for the community, whilst enjoying time outdoors.”
The council is already working with over 25 partners across the county to plant more trees including environmental groups, charities, and parish and town councils.
In Bedgrove, Aylesbury, the local community is marking National Tree Week by planting 420 trees at The Spinney - home to a variety of wildlife and mature trees since the seventeenth century.
Julie Edwards, Chair of the Bedgrove Residents and Community Association, commented:
“The existing woodland has suffered damage from unauthorised cycle ramps over the years, so we worked hard to create a new purpose-built bike track at a more appropriate location and can’t wait to plant these new trees to help restore the woodland. We secured trees from the Woodland Trust and worked with Buckinghamshire Council and Chiltern Rangers to make this happen. It has been a great team effort and an example of how by working together, communities, charities, and the council can achieve more.”
Find out more about Bucks Tree Mission at: Tree planting schemes | Buckinghamshire Council
To volunteer to help plant fruit trees at Huntsmoor Park in Iver on 3 December, register to attend at: https://BucksTreeMissionPlantingEvent.eventbrite.co.uk
You can also find tree planting support for community groups on our website.