Thousands of trees being planted in Sandwell

16 March

Tree planting is well under way in Sandwell and 5,000 trees have been delivered by The Woodland Trust.

Sandwell parks staff along with councillors, volunteers from park friends groups and local school children have all helped to plant the trees at sites across the borough.

As part of the project named ‘Together we Grow’, Sandwell Council has pledged to plant 5,000 trees – one for each reception child who started school last September.

A total of 15,000 trees will be planted during the next three years and it is hoped the project will extend to 2030.

Councillor Maria Crompton, deputy leader of Sandwell Council has spearheaded the project and taken part in planting trees in woodlands. She said: “I am so very proud of this project. It’s bringing together the community – young and old and leaving a real legacy for the children of Sandwell.

“As a child grows, so will their trees. We also hope this will help children have a personal connection to the woodlands and make our young people proud of where they live.

Sandwell Councillors declared a climate change emergency at a recent full council meeting (Tuesday 10 March) and have pledged to improve air quality in the borough and to protect local people from the effects of increasing global temperatures.

Councillor Crompton added: “We all know trees are good for the environment and the Together we Grow project is part of the strategy we have to improve air quality in Sandwell.”