MORE than a thousand oak trees will be planted across Herefordshire and Shropshire this winter under ambitious plans to double tree cover.

A dozen landowners across the two counties will be planting over 1200 oak trees as part of a project in partnership with Extinction Rebellion, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, local landowners and parish councils in the Marches.

“Over the next decade we’re hoping to double the number of trees we plant each year so that together we plant a million trees by 2030,” project coordinator David Gillam, from Golden Valley Extinction Rebellion, said.

“This is our first year and its great to see so many people taking part. Planting a tree is something we can all do to help wildlife and our climate. We simply need to do a lot more of it. I’m particularly pleased to see Bishops Frome parish council taking part as I feel this is the sort of community activity that everyone can take part in.”

One of those planting trees is Bob Cunning, who will plant 100 oak trees to complete a wood on their land as part of their ‘Trees for Tomorrow’ scheme, which started in 1998 when Bob and Susie Cunning planted a black poplar in memory of Caitlin Hurcombe. This beautiful tree is now over 40 feet tall.

“Planting a tree is an act of hope that will continue the greening of this beautiful corner of our threatened planet.” said Bob Cunning.

The Herefordshire initiative was inspired by the Stump Up For Trees project which plans to plant a million trees on the Brecon Beacons, with schools and community groups taking part. The aim is to create native woodland that will absorb carbon and create habitat for wildlife.

"Trees provide wildlife habitat, food, medicine, shade, sustainable timber, improved air quality, natural flood management and healthier soil. It's hard to overstate their benefit," said Helen Heathfield from Canon Frome, who plans to plant her oak trees near her local primary school where the children have already planted some fruit trees this autumn.

"Most importantly trees sequester carbon and so they mitigate climate change. Tree planting is one of the best ways to tackle this global crisis. Now we just have to get on with it.”

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s Andrew Nixon said: “It is great to be part of this initiative to give advice on the hows and whys of tree planting. From urban and garden trees to orchards and woodlands we’re certainly keen to see more trees in Herefordshire to tackle both the climate and ecological emergencies. We also want to help people to pick the right tree for the space and environment that they are planting in and we can offer lots of advice about that. The Herefordshire landscape should be a mix of beautiful, wildlife-rich habitats – meadows, wetlands, orchards, heaths and woodlands – we need to see more of all of these for the benefit of both wildlife and people.”

Contact Golden Valley XR for more information at XRGV2019@gmail.com