GREEN-fingered children have been helping to plant the first 100 of nearly 16,000 trees planned for part of Teesside.

Stockton Borough Council is working with charity Trees for Cities to plant 15,000 young trees (whips), 400 fruit trees and 450 other trees across the area.

Pupils at St John the Baptist Primary School, in Stockton, helped to get the two-year project underway.

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Councillor Bob Cook, council leader, said: “As well as increasing tree and woodland cover throughout the borough, we want to raise awareness of the importance of trees and provide opportunities to celebrate them.

"Planting more trees in towns and cities has a hugely positive impact on people and our environment and helps tackle ‘green inequality’ in more deprived areas.

“We want to encourage community ownership of trees and woodlands, as well as find new ways of managing trees and woodlands for future sustainability. So I would urge residents, schools, businesses and other organisations to get your wellies out, and get involved with this hugely beneficial initiative.”

The Northern Echo: Councillor Bob Cook and 9-year-old Alfie Wennington of St. John the Baptist Primary School plant a tree at Primrose Hill Park in Stockton. Photograph: Stuart Boulton.

The council has been given £360,000 for the Trees in Stockton-on-Tees initiative.

A Community Tree and Woodland Officer will be working with residents, partners and councillors to establish trees throughout the borough, primarily in areas with low tree canopy cover and high levels of deprivation.

The first locations include:

  • Primrose Hill Park, Stockton – 1,500 whips, 17 to 22 January
  • Rochester Road, Stockton – 1,000 whips, 24 to 29 January
  • Warkworth Road, Billingham – 1,000 whips, 31 January to 5 February
  • Allison Trainer Park, Thornaby – 1,000 whips, 14 to 19 February
  • Master Road, Thornaby – 3,000 whips, 21 February to 5 March

In addition to these, 300 standard trees and 300 fruit trees will be planted this winter at numerous locations throughout the borough.

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Anyone who would like to get involved in community tree planting events can email treeproject@stockton.gov.uk.

Title your email with the location you are interested in and leave your name, postcode and how many in your party may be attending.

The Northern Echo: Cllr. Bob Cook with pupils from St. John the Baptist Primary School at Primrose Hill Park in Stockton. Photograph: Stuart Boulton.

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