In 2023 more than a whopping 1.9 million trees were planted as part of a major project across Northern England is has been revealed.
The North of England is banding together to plant 50 million new trees, in a project that will transform our landscape as we know it. Named The North Forest, the project will be found in and around the cities of Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester and Chester.
Working alongside the Woodland Trust, The Mersey Forest, City of Trees, White Rose Forest, and HEYwoods, the initiatives have begun their mission to plant more trees in the wonderful North – which will play a huge part in fighting climate change in the UK.
Nearly eight million trees have been planted since 2018, the highest number recorded last year, according to the Woodland Trust, the BBC reports,
Nick Sellwood, who leads the trust’s Northern Forests team, said the achievement was “nothing short of remarkable. There are now thousands more trees in cities, in the countryside – and in more inhospitable places high up in the Pennines.”
He continued: “More new woodlands bring huge benefits to people – not just in terms of well being, but in jobs and a boost to businesses and the economy through the likes of improving air quality, reducing flooding and creating green jobs.”
The project involves a number of community forests including The Mersey Forest, City of Trees (Greater Manchester), Humber Forest, White Rose Forest and Community Forest Trust. Back in 2019, we reported that the northern belt was just 7.6%, compared to the national average of 13%.
The work of the Northern Forest is just part of the wider effort in England over the past year, which saw tree-planting rates increase by 52% from the previous year with 5,529 hectares of new woodland planted.
The Woodland Trust said this was “significant progress” towards meeting the Environment Act target of achieving 16.5% tree and woodland cover in England by 2050.
Read More: New North Yorkshire Woodland Opens With 210,000 Trees Planted
Feature Image Credit: Woodland Trust/ Andy Bond
