'Tiny forests' planted to make woods for communities

The "tiny forests" have been planted in two areas in Gateshead

Two "tiny forests" have been planted to provide woodland for communities and wildlife to enjoy.

The forests are in Bensham and Birtley in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, and are each about the size of a tennis court.

They have been created by planting trees closely together to encourage rapid growth.

John McElroy, from Gateshead Council, said the scheme would bring "environmental and social benefits" to the communities.

The tiny forests are based on the Miyawaki method, a way of planting which uses species of trees that would occur naturally in an area to create a diverse, multi-layered forest.

The scheme has been delivered by Earthwatch Europe on behalf of the North East Community Forest, in partnership with Gateshead Council. It is supported by Living Woods.

The first tiny forest in Tyne and Wear was planted in West Denton in March last year.

Children from Portobello Primary School, in Birtley, and St Aiden's Primary School, in Bensham, were invited to plant trees at their local sites.

Gateshead Council has now partnered with the Royal Forestry Society to provide support for schools that would like to plant trees on their grounds.

The council said it could support schools planting trees for shade, planting a hedge to reduce noise and air pollution, or creating their own forest area.