TREES-Y does it … Reading Borough Council is celebrating after planting more than 400 trees over the past five months.
Of their green tally, 320 were new trees, while 86 were replacements for trees that had died.
And it was with a little help from their friends … the charity Freely Fruity were instrumental in reaching the target, thanks to its recent efforts to create a community orchid in Whitley.
Reading Borough Council says its tree strategy aims to create at least a 12% tree canopy across each of the 16 wards, and a total canopy cover of 25% across the borough.
This target is part of its Climate Change Strategy: trees absorb carbon dioxide and contribute towards the town’s net zero carbon target by 2030.
The South Whitley Park community orchard was started last year, and last month Cllr Karen Rowland, lead councillor for environmental services and community safety, was among volunteers who planted 50 additional fruit trees at the orchard.
All the trees were donated by Freely Fruity. Their ambassador, the actor Winston Ellis, helped.
Reading Borough Council hopes residents will take ownership of the orchard.
Cllr Rowland said: “The great thing about the Council’s tree planting programme is that it directly benefits residents now and will continue to benefit the town into the future.
“Seeing more trees in our parks and along our streets gives a real boost to our wellbeing. Trees increase our biodiversity and capture carbon as part of their critical role in responding to the climate emergency.
“It was fantastic to have so many residents and Freely Fruity volunteers coming out to enhance the orchard that was started last year with some energetic tree planting.
“We all got some good exercise and enjoyed the great outdoors. It’s coming together beautifully in Reading’s South Whitley Park – benefitting the community and the environment both.”
