Ten million trees planted in Northern Forest scheme

More than 10 million trees have been planted as part of a project to boost woodland in the north of England, a conservation charity has revealed.

The Northern Forest scheme is aiming to eventually plant 50 million trees in and around cities including Liverpool, Chester, Preston, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, York and Hull by 2043.

Paul Nolan, director of The Mersey Forest, said hitting the 10 million milestone was a "fantastic achievement" adding more trees would help with changing climates as well as creating places that are healthier to live.

Nick Sellwood, from the Woodland Trust, said the project involved "an incredible amount of sweat and graft" but was "so rewarding".

Examples of places which have benefitted from new trees include the 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 worked alongside Liverpool City Council to deliver 10 hectares of trees in 20 parks across the city with the help of volunteer tree-planters.

Meanwhile, in Hayhills Farm Wood, near Silsden, Bradford, more than 38,000 trees have been planted with the aim 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", Mr Nolan said.

He added: "Our woodlands and greenspaces 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."

The Northern Forest is supported by the government's Nature for Climate Fund.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said tree planting rates were now "at the highest level in over 20 years" and the government was investing £800m to plant trees across the country.

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