AN “ambitious” plan will see thousands of trees planted across Wellington as part of an environmental project with the Woodland Trust

As part of an agreement with The Woodland Trust, Wellington Town Council is set to plant 3,000 trees and shrubs in the green corridor as part of the Trust’s Woodland Creation Scheme, according to a statement made by Wellington Town Council.

The council said in a statement: “The agreement ensures that Wellington is at the forefront of contributing to the delivery of both national and local tree planting targets.

“The Woodland Trust has developed a planting scheme which is designed to enhance what is already in place and protect other aspects, like views to the Monument.”

The Scheme will see two hectares of land throughout the Green Corridor planted with a variety of native tree and shrub species including English Oak, Alder, Beech, Crab Apple, Field Maple and Goat Willow.

The Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, will be providing 75% of the funding for the purchase of the trees, shrubs and guards.

The total commitment of the town council is for £2,500 towards the purchase of the trees, shrubs and some fencing.

Rosie Walker, the Woodland Trust’s external affairs officer for the South West, said: “This is an inspiring project for people, nature and climate. We want more town and parish councils around the country to make land available for nature, plant more trees to increase our woodland cover and make places better to live for everyone.”

Since their founding in 1972, The Woodland trust has planted more than 68million trees, reviving upwards of 38,000 hectares of woodland around the UK.

The council has also agreed a three-year plan for the planting of a further 650 trees around the town, using in part the Woodland Trust’s Free Trees for Schools and Communities, with 150 of those trees being planted as part of the Tiny Forest Programme at each of Court Fields and Isambard Kingdom Brunel schools.

The plan also sees the use of planters throughout the town as a ‘nursery’ to grow trees on, before relocating them to other sites.

A Council spokesperson said: “We are delighted to have been able to work with The Woodland Trust and partners from the community on the green corridor scheme and are grateful for all the work they have done to put it together.

“This, and our own plans for tree planting over the coming years, places Wellington at the forefront of both national and local strategies for improving tree coverage. They will enhance biodiversity throughout the town and contribute to delivering our climate change strategy as well as simply making our living environment even more special.”

Cllr Mark Lithgow said: “This plan and strategy have been put together very well and I am all in favour of it.”

Other areas being lined-up for larger trees are at the Chestnut Close Play Area, Monmouth Gardens in North Street, Popham Sheltered Housing in Victoria Street, areas of Gay Close and the Priory Play Area.