Increase in tree planting in Humber Forest project

The Humber Forest Project has funded the planting of hundreds of thousands of trees

A community forestry project has led to 368,000 trees being planted during the 2024-25 season, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said.

Humber Forest, a project across Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire said the figure was an increase of 35% compared with the same period last year.

The council said projects that had benefited from funding include a new woodland in Holderness, a hedgerow and woodland in Crowle and the Oak Road Playing Fields in Hull.

Councillor Paul West said he was proud of the work, and encouraged other landowners to get involved with the project.

Humber Forest is one of 15 community forests across England and is part of the larger Northern Forest that stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire coast.

They work with farmers, landowners, businesses and communities, and provide grants to cover up to 100% of funding for planting and associated costs.

A new woodland in Holderness was planted by a local landowner in memory of his mum Sheila.

Sheila's Planting included 12,235 trees which the council said had improved the habitat for wildlife and was helping to combat climate change.

The authority said 700 trees had been planted by residents at Oak Road Playing Fields in Hull, an area prone to flooding.

It said the trees would help alleviate the flooding, create areas of shade in the summer and provide habitats for a wide range of species.

Humber Forest also funded more than 2km (1.24 miles) of mixed native hedgerow and more than half a hectare of woodland on a sheep farm in Crowle, North Lincolnshire.

The planting season in 2024-25 also included 35 miles (56km) of hedgerows, "the equivalent distance from Flamborough to Withernsea," the council said.

The authority said the trees could play a vital role in creating habitats for wildlife, improving community spaces, reducing soil erosion and flooding, and improving air quality.

West said: "We're proud to support communities to improve their local environments, including through tree plantings. We highly encourage more landowners to find out more and get involved with the Humber Forest project."

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