Rochdale’s tree planting scheme to bring future benefits

Rochdale Borough Council is leading the way as they work towards a greener and cleaner borough by carrying out a programme of tree planting which will see 2930 trees planted to deliver a Pennine Edge Forest as part of ongoing commitments to achieve net-zero carbon targets by 2038.

The planting will be delivered through England’s woodland creation programme - ‘Trees for Climate’, working in partnership with City of Trees, Greater Manchester’s tree planting movement.

Greater Manchester has today (Friday 25 March) declared a “biodiversity emergency” with Leaders, which will set out a series of projects and initiatives across the city region to seek to recover and restore biodiversity and reverse habitat loss. Rochdale is taking action now.

A number of sites have been selected to benefit, with suitable locations sourced by the council’s environmental management team and rangers, working alongside local schools and volunteer groups to help undertake this huge task, to leave a lasting legacy for many years to come.

Planting will take place at the following locations:

• 210 trees at Millers Brook, Heywood with St Luke’s Primary School

• 200 trees at Barnes Meadow, Littleborough with Stansfield Hall Primary School

• 1300 trees at Hopwood Woods, Middleton with Hopwood Hall College

• 350 trees at Syke hedge, Rochdale with The Skill Mill

• 370 trees at Wrigley Brook, Heywood with green volunteers and countryside rangers

• 500 trees at Wince Brook, Middleton with Alkrington Primary School

Woodlands and biodiversity play an important role in air quality.  Increasing the scale and quality of local habitats, including appropriate tree planting and improved woodland management will bring a range of benefits, including natural flood management, carbon storage, and increased biodiversity to be enjoyed by everyone.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, deputy leader of Rochdale Borough Council and cabinet member for climate change and sustainability, said:  “The tree planting initiative is part of our climate change plan to increase tree cover across the borough and to involve our communities in planting schemes and maintaining those trees for the long term. We know that tree planting together with investing in our natural environment is one of the most effective ways of tackling climate change and protecting our environment.

“Our officers have worked very hard to identify sites, to bring forward planting schemes and identify resources to support those schemes, such as the Pennine Edge Forest initiative, which will deliver a network of local woodlands both in and around urban communities, river valleys and upland fringes.

“This is a brilliant and exciting initiative and something we can all engage with to make a difference.”

Pete Stringer from City of Trees, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting Rochdale with the multiple tree plantings this month, every tree planted will contribute to a greener Greater Manchester.

“Getting local primary schools involved is also an important way to educate children about the importance of trees from a young age, of which they will reap the benefits of as the trees grow over their lifetime.”

The council is also developing a longer-term programme of tree planting and natural capital projects which will extend into future years on its own land as well as working with private landowners. This will involve working in partnership with City of Trees, Woodland Trust and the Forestry Commission amongst others.

Read more on the council’s climate change pledge: rochdale.gov.uk/climatechange