Thousands of new trees to be planted in Tameside

Thousands of new trees are set to be planted throughout Tameside this year, in a bid to help tackle climate change.

The council has set an ambitious target of planting a further 16,000 trees in 2021. 

But it has also been accused of 'hypocrisy', amid the authority's controversial plans for the Godley Green garden village to build 2,350 homes on open green belt land in Hyde. 

Hyde Werneth Conservative councillor Phil Chadwick said: "That's one way to stop the thousands of trees from being destroyed, hypocrites. Destroy the greenbelt, plant more trees. Genius!" 

Andrea Colbourne, Chair of Hyde Conservatives, commented: "Trees are indeed hugely important, yet you’re going to rip the green lungs out of Godley by building 2,350 houses! Hypocrite springs to mind."

The project is being supported by City of Trees, the Greater Manchester project to plant more trees and restore woodlands, and is part of the national Trees for Climate programme.

The council say it will largely take place in greenspace and countryside, ranging from the edges of Cheetham’s Park in Stalybridge to more planting at Groby Road in Audenshaw.

A mix of whips is being utilised including familiar species such as oak, hazel and birch. Whips are slender, unbranched shoots of smaller size which the council hopes will give them a much greater chance of success in local conditions.

Brenda Warrington, Tameside Council’s executive leader and Labour councillor in the Denton West ward, commented: “Over the last 10 years we have planted many thousands of trees and I’m immensely proud of that record.

“Trees are hugely important to us as they not only store carbon, they provide havens for wildlife, and provide a more diverse and attractive landscape. They are a real asset to the borough’s environment and the planting project is a major feature of our ongoing efforts to combat climate change, complementing the work we do to help people make their homes energy efficient.

“The latest planting work can only enhance our wonderful parks and countryside whose value has become even more apparent during lockdowns when we haven’t been able to travel.”

Working with communities, organisations and businesses, City of Trees is aiming to plant a tree for every citizen in the Greater Manchester region within five years. 

Main image:

Tameside Council leader Cllr Brenda Warrington planting a whip. 

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