East Suffolk Council
Primary school pupils help launch tree planting programme
An ambitious scheme to plant a quarter-of-a-million trees across East Suffolk is beginning to take root.
Melton Primary School pupils found an ideal spot for one of the first trees to be planted as part of East Suffolk Council’s Tree and Hedgerow Strategy.
The young oak was nurtured at home by Cabinet member for the Environment, Cllr Sally Noble, whose motion to develop the strategy received Full Council backing in July.
As well as identifying priorities for the management of existing trees and woodland, the strategy aims to enable planting of another 250,000 trees to boost canopy cover by 1% – with one of the first taking root at Melton Primary School for the start of the annual planting season and to coincide with National Tree Week.
Working with the Woodland Trust, East Suffolk Council is also calling on local landowners to help identify land which could be used for planting or making improvements for nature.
Cllr Noble said:
“I’m delighted to have been joined by pupils at Melton Primary School in helping to kick-start our planting programme. I’m continually encouraged by children’s understanding of the environment and enthusiasm for enriching our natural surroundings.
“Protecting trees is key to tackling biodiversity decline driven by climate change. We are working with residents, community groups and experts on developing a strategy to enable more trees to be planted across East Suffolk, while identifying priorities and requirements for the management of existing trees across the district.”
The tree was originally given to the school to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee and was grown by Cllr Noble until robust enough to plant in a suitable space.
Nicole Barr, volunteer co-ordinator and Forest School lead for Melton Primary School, said:
“We’re very grateful to Cllr Noble for looking after the tree and returning to help plant it here.
“The school emblem is an acorn and oak leaf, so it feels like an appropriate addition to our wooded area.”
Earlier this year, East Suffolk Council passed a motion to declare a biodiversity and ecological emergency, having already declared a climate emergency in 2019.
The Tree and Hedgerow Strategy will feed into Suffolk’s developing ‘Local Nature Recovery Strategy’ – part of a nationwide move to create space and connectivity for nature to thrive.
East Suffolk Council will also commit further resources to supporting the role of town and parish councils, as well as local tree wardens and community volunteers, in performing a fundamental role protecting and managing new and existing trees.
Ongoing work will continue to map tree canopy cover in the district, creating opportunities for planting on council-owned land and for private landowners to identify suitable spaces.
Ben Green, External Affairs Officer at the Woodland Trust, said:
“We’re reaching out to the communities and landowners across East Suffolk to be part of an ambitious effort to plant more trees and create greener, thriving spaces for generations to come.
“With the Woodland Trust’s financial support, expert guidance, and unwavering commitment, we’re here to help you make a lasting impact. Let’s work together to secure a greener, more resilient future for East Suffolk.”
Local landowners can get in touch to help identify land which could be used for planting, or making improvements for nature, by emailing greenissues@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.