Tree planting
As part of the Council’s pledge to help tackle climate change, we identified seven climate themes we wanted to work towards so that we can reach long-term targets. One of these seven climate themes is ‘built a natural environment’ which aims to incorporate green infrastructure into planning and the urban environment. This includes the planting of trees
How do trees help to capture carbon dioxide?
During photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a by-product. This helps to offset the air we breathe out and the emissions we release into the atmosphere when we use cars, central heating or use electricity to boil the kettle. According to the National Trust, one tree could remove one tonne of carbon dioxide from the air over its lifetime.
In addition to absorbing carbon dioxide and looking great, trees also have benefits for mental health; people’s mental health improves when surrounded by nature.
Why is the Council planting more trees?
The UK Government has set a target for at least 30,000 hectares of trees a year to be planted across the UK by May 2024. Rotherham Council has pledged to plant a minimum of 500 trees per year in line with this national target. This is equivalent to about 5 Hectares.
Like every living thing, trees grow over time and can also contract diseases and die. While Rotherham has lots of trees, some of them are old and at risk of falling down or are infected by diseases and fungus, such as Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus). This means that new trees need to be planted.
Ongoing projects:
- Brecks Community Orchard
- Queen Elizabeth II Community Woodland, Dinnington
- Brinsworth Adopt a Tree Scheme
- Greasborough Park
