It never Rains it Pours.. and Snows!

 January. Winter has arrived! We need proper seasons. But the thing about climate change is we will see more extreme weather events. As the recent weeks have demonstrated. Areas of South Manchester have been severely disrupted – some houses flooded, people displaced, roads and infrastructure closed – all in the middle of a global pandemic.  The floods were followed by snowfall. Big trees were lost. 

Not sure my dog Bess enjoyed it, but parks and streets  were transformed overnight. Even the PM decided to visit. I looked up to see a couple of military helicopters flying overhead – Boris Johnson visited the River Mersey flood basin  in Didsbury,  which had recorded record high water levels. 

Tree planting isn’t a silver bullet but it isn’t a placebo either. Tree planting helps and makes a difference.  It increases permeability and filtration. The aim is to plant trees (right location and right species) to achieve maximum benefits for climate adaptation, carbon storage, sequestration. And despite everything Nature has thrown at us in January– We’ve continued planting!

Worth noting that usually about 150 new or replacement trees are planted by our Arbor team. This season (Up to March 2021) the target is – 1000. 

 Ten times the number of big trees being to be planted. 

1000 big trees in neighbourhoods that need and want them. 

And remember – these trees have to be sourced, bought, delivered and planted. No mean feat in these challenging times and a credit to everyone involved. . 

So far then: 159 trees Planted. 

Areas benefitting – Cheetham Newton Heath and Miles Platting Gorton Moss Side Old Moat Withington