New Trees For Sheffield

Over 8,000 trees are to be planted in Sheffield between now and March 2018

Sheffield council has committed to planting over 8,000 trees within the next five months, the first of which has been planted in Burngreave with Lord Mayor, Councillor Anne Murphy, attending the ceremony.The first tree was planted by scouts from the 76th Sheffield St Peter’s Ellesmere Scout Troop. The tree, known as a heavy standard, sits opposite St Peter’s Church.Various smaller trees were also planted near to the scout’s headquarters on Grimesthorpe Road.Larger trees will be planted following requests from the public to: “to replace those removed from parks and green spaces due to health and safety issues”.

Planting will take place across the city including Handsworth, Stannington, Richmond, Shirecliffe, Firth Park and Whirlow. The council said all of the planting areas have been designed to avoid causing shade to homes or gardens and to improve drainage.Councillor Mary Lea, Sheffield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, said: “These new woodlands will bring diversity to the landscape, encourage wildlife and give residents even more opportunities to connect with nature.“I look forward to seeing these trees grow and thrive, thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers and all those involved in this vital project.”

Tim Shortland, the Community Forestry Manager who is responsible for the tree planting, added:

“Sheffield’s existing woodlands are nationally renowned but many are in decline and will not last forever.

“The establishment of new urban woodland will preserve this amazing woodland legacy for future generations and, in the shorter term, provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife.”