News from the gardening world
Peer to champion tree planting and prevent needless felling
Trees in streets are to be championed as part of a major new Government initiative, which will see their indiscriminate removal outlawed, with councils forced to consult with locals before any such action is taken.
In his new role, Sir William Worsley, currently chair of the National Forest Company, which is overseeing the creation of a National Forest in the East Midlands, will bring together mayors, city leaders and other key players across local government to formulate plans for best practice for tending trees in their care.
He will also drive forward initiatives for planting one million more trees in urban settings and work with local government to ensure ancient woodland is more strongly protected.
As part of the Government’s 25-year environment plan, Sir William will additionally support its manifesto commitment to planting 11 million trees in the wider landscape. He’ll work with government plant health officers to drive the protection of tree health across England, raising awareness of the impact of pests and diseases.
Since launching its environment plan in January, the Government has invested £6 million to kick-start the creation of a Northern Forest along the M62 corridor from Liverpool to Hull, with the ambition of planting 50 million trees there over the next 25 years. It has already green-lighted more than 600,000 trees to be planted at Doddington North Moor, Northumberland, and 200,000 in Lowther Park in the Lake District.
“Trees and woods transform our landscapes, improve our health and wellbeing and help grow the economy,” said Sir William, who runs familyowned Hovingham Hall and Estate in North Yorkshire.