Young gardeners plant 100 extra trees for The Queen's Jubilee
The Council’s “Green Team” is organising additional gardening sessions for schools and groups across the borough following a donation of British native trees by Staffordshire County Council.
Green-fingered youngsters in Newcastle-under-Lyme are planting 100 extra trees to help celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Council’s “Green Team” is organising additional gardening sessions for schools and groups at a number of locations across the borough over the coming weeks following a donation of British native trees by Staffordshire County Council.
It has received a selection of cherry, crab apple, field maple, hornbeam, lime, rowan and willow trees thanks to the county council’s “Net Zero by Nature” initiative.
The project links into the Queen’s unique Green Canopy campaign which is encouraging people from across the United Kingdom to enhance their environment by planting a tree for the Jubilee.
It also supports the Council’s ongoing work to create carbon capture green spaces in urban areas to help mitigate the effects of climate change, and to become a carbon neutral council by 2030, as part of Newcastle in Bloom’s “Plant a Bloomin Tree” initiative.
Michelle Hopper, Environmental Officer – Community Management, said: “The Council is delighted to accept these beautiful trees from Staffordshire County Council. As part of 'Plant a Bloomin Tree', we’re aiming to give every primary school in the borough the opportunity to be involved in planting, whether it’s within school grounds or through us on Council-owned land. We’re also encouraging community groups and residents to plant in community spaces and gardens.
“Trees are the ultimate carbon capture; they’re vital to our very existence. They play a major role in our environment by providing oxygen, conserving water, preserving soil and supporting wildlife. It’s hoped that regular planting sessions will educate the wider community and highlight the importance and benefits of the biggest plants on our planet.
“The original aim was to plant at least 850 trees across the borough over the next two years to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the Newcastle Charter in 2023 but this target has already been extended to 8,500 after quickly reaching more than 4,000 which is absolutely fantastic.”
Jubilee trees planted in the borough can be added to The Queen’s Green Canopy map. They automatically appear on a totaliser – available on the Council’s website – showing the location and total number planted in Newcastle-under-Lyme as part of “Plant a Bloomin Tree”.
Catherine Man, Assistant Director for Culture, Rural and Safer Communities at Staffordshire County Council, said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy project is an important part of the Jubilee plans this summer and it’s great that Staffordshire is able to play its part.
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve been making free trees available to communities, groups, schools and for residents to plant in their gardens at home. It’s wonderful to see the children getting involved in the project and planting so many trees. This is not only a great way to celebrate the Jubilee but by planting more trees we’ll help create greener communities here in Staffordshire.”