18,000 trees planted in Ards and North Down during latest tree planting season

From November 2023 to March 2024, Ards and North Down Borough Council has facilitated the planting of 18,000 new trees across the Borough. This includes the planting of new woodland, native hedgerows, and community orchards.

Each of the tree planting events was made possible thanks to the help of community groups, schools and parks volunteers across the Ards and North Down area.

Council has an annual tree-planting programme which sees many trees of both native and interesting varieties planted during each tree planting season. The Council's STAND4TREES initiative aims to plant a tree for every person in the Borough, which is approximately 160,000 trees by 2032.

Trees play a significant role in improving environmental conditions and people's quality of life. Trees act as carbon sinks and absorb carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas) and produce oxygen. In addition, trees filter, absorb and reduce pollutants. Trees can make our Borough a healthier, more attractive and more comfortable place to live and work. Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife such as birds, squirrels and insects, as well as for people.

Below are the key aims of the Council's Tree and Woodland strategy and guide the Council's management of trees in the Borough.

Community Engagement: to actively engage and collaborate with the community and others in valuing trees as a vital community asset.

Tree Planting: to increase the native tree canopy within the Borough by planting more trees to ensure a healthy balanced tree population that positively responds to the impacts of climate change and urban expansion.

Managing Trees: to ensure good tree care, through sustainable management of the tree population and reducing risk.

If you would like more information on the Council's STAND4TREES initiative or would like to get involved in some of our upcoming tree-planting events, please email ANDparks@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk or visit Trees and Woodland

ENDS.