The United Kingdom’s tree planting rates were now “at the highest level in over 20 years,” with the Keir Starmer government investing £800m to plant more trees across the country. That is according to Mary Creagh, the UK’s Under-Secretary of State for Nature, who spoke to the BBC about the Nature for Climate Fund – which, through the Northern Forest scheme, is helping to plant 50 million new trees in and around Liverpool, Chester, Preston, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, York and Hull.
Yesterday, the scheme reached a key milestone – with more than 10 million trees planted in the country’s north, “a fantastic achievement,” according to Paul Nolan, director of The Mersey Forest, who said planting more trees would help with changing climates as well as creating healthier places to live.
Examples of places that have benefited from new trees include areas around eight fire stations in Greater Manchester and Oak Road Playing Fields in Hull, which is next to a river prone to flooding. The Mersey Forest has also collaborated with Liverpool City Council to plant 10 hectares of trees in 20 parks across the city, with the assistance of volunteer tree planters. Meanwhile, in Hayhills Farm Wood, near Silsden, Bradford, more than 38,000 trees have been planted to connect it to four other nearby woodland habitats.
They will benefit “from cleaner air to improved mental health, and from flooding reduction to the sound of birdsong”, Nolan said. “Our woodlands and green spaces are essential to help us adapt to changing climates, to help us live happy, healthy lives and provide neighbourhoods that we’re proud to call our home.”
- To learn more about the United Kingdom’s plans to sell forestry’s “green investment opportunity,” click here for Wood Central’s feature from March 2025.
