Local children and the community recently took part in a Humber Forest community planting day at Oak Road Playing Fields in Hull where they helped to plant hundreds of trees and improve the area for all to enjoy.
Humber Forest is the community forest for Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. It is one of 15 community forests across England and part of the larger Northern Forest that stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire Coast. East Riding of Yorkshire Council is the accountable body for the Humber Forest.
Parts of Oak Road Playing Fields are prone to flooding so suitable wet woodland species such as willow and alder were planted to help reduce this.
The inclusion of oak, silver birch, rowan, hornbeam and the various other species will enhance existing woodland and increase biodiversity in the local area.
The trees planted at Oak Road Playing Fields were sourced locally, the larger standard trees being grown at Wheldons Nurseries in Beverley and the woodland whips grown at Mires Beck Nursery in North Cave.
Cllr Charles Quinn, portfolio holder for the environment at Hull City Council, said: “This is a fantastic initiative and brilliant that the community, especially local children, have been able to get involved.
“By planting the trees themselves, they can gain a sense of pride in knowing that they are contributing to the sustainability of their local area, whilst also learning about the environmental benefits it brings.
“The variety of trees also brings aesthetics benefits to the area, as well as improving biodiversity.”
Humber Forest funds large and small projects, providing grants to cover up to 100% of agreed costs of tree planting, hedgerow creation and establishments costs. It is supported with funding from the Trees for Climate and Northern Forest Grow Back Greener funds, which are part of the Defra Nature for Climate Fund
The team is currently working with farmers, businesses and communities across Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire and hopes to plant 250,000 – 300,000 trees by the end of March 2025.
For more information, or to get involved, visit www.humberforest.org or email humber.forest@eastriding.gov.uk
