Jan 2024 - A Wassailing Welcome for the New Year

 

Growing ambition: Manchester’s new plan aims for 64,000 new trees by 2050

Since the Council launched Manchester’s first tree strategy in 2005 more than 125,000 trees and tree hedges including 125 community orchards and fruit tree groves have been planted across the city by the Council, partner organisations such as City of Trees, the orchard project and others.  
This year the Council is planting 745 trees over the next six months. Among the beneficiaries are St Willibroad’s RC Primary School in Clayton, where six new fruit trees – two apple, two cherry and two plum – were planted this week. 
An emerging 10-year Tree and Woodland Action Plan,was considered at the Environment, Climate Change and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee on 9 November 2023, setting out an ambition to boost Manchester’s tree cover.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment , said: 
 
“With every year that passes, it feels like we understand more about the benefits of trees - not just in combatting climate change by removing and storing carbon but also in supporting resilience to its impacts by reducing flood risks and providing shade. This is in addition, of course, to them being a wildlife habitat and contributing to the appeal of neighbourhoods.   
“Tens of thousands of trees have been planted since we first started looking at this issue strategically and we now have a better understanding than ever of where our trees are and where more are needed.  
“Now we want to work with residents and organisations in the city to support the planting of even more.  
“The enthusiasm of the pupils at St Willbroad’s shows that our children understand the importance of growing for the future.” 

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Draft Tree and Woodland Action Plan Consultation | Draft Tree and Woodland Action Plan consultation | Manchester City Council