Around 12,000 new trees to be planted on Town Moor

Around 12,000 new trees will be planted on Newcastle’s Town Moor as part of plans to tackle climate change and make the city a greener, healthier and more attractive place to live and visit.

The North East Community Forest and the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne will be joined by volunteers and partners to plant 5.6 hectares of new woodland and biodiversity habitats – the equivalent to seven football pitches – on eight Town Moor sites.

The increase in tree cover will bring many benefits, including boosting biodiversity and creating new green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The project was officially launched by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear Lucy Winskell, who planted a ceremonial tree at the King’s Coronation site, north of Cow Hill, off Grandstand Road, on Thursday, February 8.

North East Community Forest Chairman, Ross Weddle, said: “The Town Moor is the largest green space in Newcastle city centre and is much loved by residents and visitors, so I am delighted we are planting a further 11,912 new trees.

“Planting more trees is vital as it brings people closer to nature, reduces the risk of flooding, creates new habitats for wildlife, improves air quality, has a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing and helps to combat climate change.

“Over the coming months we look forward to working with the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne, volunteers, community groups and partners to deliver this hugely beneficial initiative."

Cllr Marion Williams, Cabinet member for a Connected, Clean City at Newcastle City Council, said: “We know how incredibly important trees and woodlands are to people in our communities.

“Through this exciting project, we will create more green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy which will have a lasting and positive impact on the environment and our city.

“This project supports our net zero ambitions and is another important step towards creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable city for our residents.”

David Wilson, Chair of Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne, said: “We are delighted to be planting these trees on the Town Moors to commemorate the Coronation of our King, Charles III.

“This will be a lasting acknowledgement to King Charles which is particularly appropriate in respect of His Royal Highness’ strong support of environmental protection, a subject which is a key objective of the Freemen of Newcastle.

“This is part of our ongoing ambitious strategy of tree and hedge planting on the Town Moors aimed at benefiting the environment, biodiversity, wildlife habitats and climate change mitigation.”

Nick Atkinson, Vice-Chair of Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne, said: “We are proud to be continuing our great work with our strategic partners at Newcastle City Council, The North East Community Forest, DEFRA, The Forestry Commission, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and many more to support yet another significant tree and hedgerow planting project across the various moors under our stewardship.

“Our combined efforts are producing significant results to complement and continually improve the significant biodiversity across the green spaces in the city.”

Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Veronica Dunn, said: “One of our ambitions as a council is to build a greener and more sustainable future for Newcastle – and planting new trees is a key part of that.

“This is an incredibly exciting project and I would like to thank all partners and volunteers for their support to make this happen.

“I look forward to seeing the trees flourish and grow so that we can all enjoy them for years to come.”

Mike Pratt, CEO of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: “We are proud and excited to be coordinating volunteer tree planting events and working with partners to enhance the biodiversity and tree population across the Town Moor.

“We see this as a massive push and opportunity for nature recovery in the city.”

The project is being delivered by the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne, the North East Community Forest, Newcastle City Council, Defra, the Forestry Commission, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Earth Watch Europe, Living Woods, and Trees for Cities.

Hundreds of volunteers are also due to take part in the tree planting events.

The eight Town Moor sites where the trees will be planted are Hunters Moor, Brighton Grove, Duke’s Moor, King’s Coronation Plantation (north of Cow Hill), Cowgate Golf Course, Fawdon Park Road greenspace, Nuns Moor North and the ‘Walking With The Wounded Woodland’ adjacent to Barrack Road.

As well as 11,912 new trees, the project will also deliver 1.7km of hedgerows with in-hedge trees, 1.25ha of wildflower meadows and a Miyawaki Tiny Forest made up of 600 trees and shrubs.

For more information about the North East Community Forest and tree planting projects in the region, visit www.northeastcommunityforest.org.uk.

For more information on the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne, visit www.freemenofnewcastle.org