Funding for more trees across North Somerset

Image

Funding to plant 3,000 smaller trees and 150 larger ones in local communities has been secured by North Somerset Council.

Following a successful application to the government's Local Authority Treescapes Fund, the council has been awarded £126,000. This will cover the cost of planting the trees and their aftercare for the next three years.

The new trees will contribute to the council's wider aim set out in its Green Infrastructure Strategy of increasing canopy cover across the area to help mitigate the effects of climate change and address some of the expected tree loss due to Ash Dieback disease.

“This news could not have come at a more timely moment as we have now approved our new Green Infrastructure Strategy," said Cllr Mike Solomon, the council's executive member for neighbourhoods and community services.

"We all have a role to play in the fight against climate change and at North Somerset Council we are taking hands-on action to fulfil our obligations. We are proud of our rewilding programme and this funding means we can continue to carry out our objective of a greener North Somerset.”

The council is now seeking the help of town and parish councils with planting and looking after the trees. It is offering each council at least one standard tree which could be used for the Queen's Jubilee tree planting scheme.  

It is also asking councils if they have any locations where they would like to plant smaller trees to create new woodland areas.

"We really hope that local councils will take us up on this offer as it provides a way to ensure we are planting trees in all areas across North Somerset," added Cllr Solomon. "We will be carefully considering tree planting locations to minimise impacts on residents while still ensuring that the many benefits of trees are brought to our communities."