National Tree Week: Celebrating trees on our doorstep

National Tree Week marks the start of the UK's tree planting season and brings together communities, organisations and volunteers to celebrate the vital role trees play in our environment. Organised and led by The Tree Council, the campaign, which runs from 21 – 29 November, encourages people to appreciate, protect and plant trees in the places where they live and work. This year's theme, "Trees Near You", highlights the importance of the trees found in our streets, parks, schools and local green spaces.

Trees provide a wide range of benefits. They help tackle climate change by storing carbon, support wildlife, improve air quality, reduce flood risk and contribute to our health and wellbeing. They also create greener, more attractive places for people and nature to thrive.

Here in west Cheshire, significant action is already under way to create new woodlands and habitats that will benefit both residents and wildlife for generations to come. The Council, working with The Mersey Forest through the Trees for Climate programme, has been creating new woodland and habitat areas across the borough to support nature recovery and climate resilience.

Recent years have seen new woodland established at sites including Wervin, Picton and Ash Hey helping to boost biodiversity and contribute to local nature recovery ambitions. Across the borough, over 300,000 trees have been planted since the start of the Trees for Climate programme in 2020 with over 300 hectares of woodland created. These projects are creating connected habitats that support birds, mammals, insects and other wildlife, while also helping to capture carbon and improve the resilience of the local landscape.

Planting already underway

This planting season, work continues at pace. Planting has already begun on phase two of Ash Hey Forest and Union Forest, while a further two council-owned site are being planted with support from The Mersey Forest's Trees for Climate funding programme. Nearly 200,000 trees will be planted, direct seeded or locations prepared for natural colonisation (where seeds from trees in the area naturally establish into trees). Together, these projects will help create more woodland, improve habitat connectivity and provide lasting environmental benefits for communities across west Cheshire. There is also an urban tree planting program focusing on diversifying species on Cheshire West Parks, community projects and a significant ‘Wood Pasture’ enhancement, where grazing animals are introduced amongst trees.

The Council's wider programme of woodland creation goes beyond tree planting alone. New sites are being designed as rich landscapes that include grassland, wetlands, ponds, hedgerows and wood pasture, creating a diverse network of habitats for wildlife. Monitoring at existing sites has already recorded increases in biodiversity, including improvements in insect populations and sightings of species such as barn owls.

As a key partner of The Mersey Forest, the council’s tree planting programme is playing a role in delivering The Mersey Forest plan: More with Trees which aims to reach 15% tree cover across Cheshire and Merseyside by 2050. By working in partnership we’re able to deliver projects that are enriching people’s lives and livelihoods, helping nature to flourish and strengthening climate resilience in our area.

Explore trees in your local area

As we celebrate National Tree Week, residents are encouraged to take a moment to appreciate the trees around them and the role they play in creating healthier, greener communities. Whether it's enjoying a walk through a local woodland, learning more about native tree species or getting involved in local planting efforts, everyone can play a part in supporting a greener future.

Discover some of west Cheshire's beautiful parks, woodlands and green spaces during National Tree Week. There is even a tree trail in Grosvenor Park, Chester to explore with small plaques in front of each tree which you can take a rubbing of, if you take some paper and crayons.
Visit the Council's website for inspiration on places to explore and connect with nature.

A Deodar Cedar in Grosvenor Park

The Tree Council also has lots of resources to find out more about trees and connect with nature during National Tree Week, including webinars, guides and a forest bathing audio guide. Visit the Tree Council website for more information.