Agenda item

Treemendous is an initiative that aims to plant an additional 50,000 trees in York over a three to five year period. Wendy Taylor from City of York Council will explain more about this project.

6.1    Wendy Taylor, Major Development & Projects Initiative Officer spoke about Treemendous York initiative.

6.2    Treemendous York is a new project with a mission to plant 50.000 trees in York in the next 3-5 years.

The initiative evolved from the ‘Towards an Economic Vision’ Document launched in February 2011 - part of which was to plant more trees.Following this a group of environmental groups got together with the Council with the aim of increasing tree cover in and around York wherever possible.

6.3    Organisations involved in the initiative are:  Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Edible York, Wheatlands Educational Woodlands, Woodland Trust, York Environment Forum, BCTV, University of York (rep of Stockholm Institute), City of York Council, anyone else that wants to be.

6.4    The partnership developed a leaflet which explains what the aims and objectives of Treemendous York are. The leaflet assesses levels of interest in helping the group to plant more trees through the community, businesses etc. Treemendous York leaflets were provided for residents to take home.

6.5    Donations received so far are being used to plant more trees in Heslington, New Earswick and community spaces through CYC and Edible York and Parish Councils.

6.6    The initiative is community based with help from City of York Council to provide officer time to help co-ordinate the project.

6.7    The group is pursuing funding bids to increase the capacity of the community groups by having a paid co-ordinator as well as extra funding to plant trees.

6.8    What is happening now?

·        Edible York are working with schools to plant fruit and nut trees where possible and have set up community groups to promote this.

·        Wheatlands Educational Trust work with schools and the public.

·        Yorkshire Wildlife Trust seeks to protect biodiversity through initiatives such as York Greenways.

·        BCTV planted 2,300 trees at Bootham Stray and are writing a bid.

·        Woodlands Trust seek to improve woodland cover nationally.

·        York Environment Trust increase & protect the natural environment.

·        City of York Council plant trees annually, including memorial trees, and maintain trees in council ownership

6.9    The next steps:

·        To work with businesses/retailers/schools/ward and parish councils and organisations and individuals to encourage tree planting.

·        To pursue funding to find a paid worker to work with the community and liaise with the Council co-ordinator to plant 50,000 trees in the next 3 years.

·        The group’s emphasis is to plant areas with less greenery but trees can be planted wherever appropriate.

·        To prioritise a number of sites for planting and ensure the right species are planted in the right place.

6.10  You can  get involved and help by:

·        Supporting the aims of Treemendous York and spreading the word wherever and whenever you can.

·        Planting trees where possible and appropriate.

·        Donating time, cash, equipment or advice.

·        Informing us of suitable sites for tree planting.

·        Offering time to provide aftercare for newly planted trees.

·        Letting us know when trees have been planted by anyone so that we can add it to our tree totaller.  This includes individual trees in gardens as well as groups.

Residents were given opportunity to raise questions.

Q       It is a great idea to plant 50.000 trees, but what about existing matured trees? Have you got a mechanism to look after existing trees that need support? James Street is a good example of a street with a number of semi matured trees that require support.

A       James Street is being audited currently. We understand the importance of the aftercare and groups of tree wardens will be set up to maintain the trees.