Communities spruce up the landscape, thanks to charity’s free trees scheme

Last month, children and adults throughout the Province planted over 15,000 trees as part of the Woodland Trust’s FREE TREES scheme, sponsored by Sainsbury’s, IKEA, Yorkshire Tea and players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Some groups have chosen to plant their trees to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, chiming with the charity’s own ambitions to create four large Centenary Woods throughout the UK.

While the groups’ reasons for planting are individual, the benefits are lasting and shared. Trees enhance the landscape, improve the air we breathe, provide homes for wildlife, and can provide sustainable fuel.  And yet Northern Ireland lags way behind the rest of Europe when it comes to tree numbers.

Northern Ireland has just 8 per cent woodland cover, compared to the UK average of 13 per cent and the European average of 44 per cent.

Patrick Cregg, director of the Woodland Trust, said: “It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm for the free tree packs.  Groups and communities – right across the country – organised over 100 events last month.  We’ve seen all ages rolling up their sleeves to plant trees to transform school grounds or shared spaces.  And in as little as 10 years the trees will be well above head-height, so schools and communities could be enjoying the rewards sooner than they might think.”

It’s not too late to get involved.  Free tree packs will also be available for planting this November.  Interested schools and community groups can find out more and apply online at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees  Registration for autumn tree packs closes on 3 September 2015.

The Woodland Trust’s First World War Centenary Woods project is supported by lead partner Sainsbury's, helping plant millions of native trees to commemorate the First World War. Woodland Trust tree packs have been generously funded by Sainsbury’s, IKEA FAMILY, Yorkshire Tea, players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Biffa Award, with funding also from WHSmith and Wilko.