County Durham’s schools, community groups, parish councils and individual residents are being encouraged to plant trees – with grants of up to £150 available.

The funding forms part of the celebrations of National Tree Week, something County Durham has been taking part in since 1979.

As part of National Tree Week, Durham County Council has been involved in a variety of projects, including planting fruit trees, copses, hedgerows and commemorative trees.

Anyone interested in getting a grant to plant trees this year must apply before Friday 13th December.

Some of the tree-planting schemes sponsored in County Durham last year were:

  • The planting of a fruit orchard on the Bearpark Woods former colliery restoration site on the outskirts of Durham City, courtesy of the Friends of Bearpark Woods
  • The planting of trees as part of a wildlife garden at Dene Community School, in Peterlee
  • The planting of a shelter belt of trees on an area of grassland important for butterflies at Satley, near Bishop Auckland. The trees should create a microclimate which will benefit the butterflies as well as other insects and reptiles.

Durham County Council’s environment and design manager, Steve Bhowmick, said, “For this year’s National Tree Week, we are encouraging people to plant trees around the county and lay down roots for a more tree-filled future to tackle climate change and protect our precious wildlife habitats.”

As the grants are given out on a first-come first-served basis, any groups or individuals interested in receiving one are advised to apply as soon as possible. The absolute deadline for completed application forms to be handed in is Friday 13th December.

To request an application form, please email landscape@durham.gov.uk or telephone 03000 267 133.

(This article’s featured image is courtesy of jalexartis Photography from Flickr Creative Commons.)


Get CONSETT MAGAZINE straight to your inbox.

* indicates required

Previous article6 Free or Cheap Things to do around Consett
Next articlePlaces to Go: RACING AT PONTEFRACT
DavidSunderland
David writes about local news, thought provoking stories, and yearns to capture the community spirit with a unique writing style.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here