Planting 200,000 trees to create 'inspiring legacy'

Councillor Martin Hill (centre, holding spade) launches the LincWoods project alongside officials from Lincolnshire County Council and the Woodland Trust

About 200,000 trees will be planted across Lincolnshire by 2026, officials have said.

The LincWoods project, a partnership between Lincolnshire County Council and the Woodland Trust, will also see 20,000 metres of hedgerows planted.

The trust said tree planting was "crucial" for enhancing green spaces and biodiversity.

Landowners will be offered subsidies to get involved, though no payment figures have been revealed.

Paul Woodgate, outreach officer for the Woodland Trust, said Lincolnshire was in "need" of more trees to fight "climate change and biodiversity loss".

He said: "Not only will the trees boost the environment, they will also bring so many community benefits. Tree cover is directly linked to better health outcomes."

The project is due to start in the autumn.

Councillor Martin Hill, the leader of the county council, said: "This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to environmental sustainability.

"In a thousand years, our descendants may well be standing in the shade of oaks planted by LincWoods. It’s an inspiring legacy."

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