Pupils launch scheme to plant 250,000 trees

Councillor Sally Noble said the strategy to plant 250,000 trees would boost canopy cover by 1% in the East Suffolk district

School children launched a scheme to plant 250,000 trees to boost canopy cover in their district by 1%.

Pupils at Melton Primary planted a young oak as one of the first trees to be grown as part of East Suffolk Council’s Tree and Hedgerow Strategy.

The oak was nurtured at home by councillor Sally Noble, Green cabinet member responsible for the environment, whose motion to develop the strategy received full council backing in July.

Working with the Woodland Trust, the council has also urged landowners to help identify areas which could be used for planting or where improvements could be made to enhance nature.

The young oak sapling was planted at Melton Primary School for the start of the annual planting season and to coincide with National Tree Week

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 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 for returning to help plant it here.

"The symbol of the school 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 run alongside Suffolk County Council’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which is part of a nationwide move to create space and connectivity for nature to thrive.

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.”