It’s the 50th anniversary for the Tree Council’s National Tree Week and so we are celebrating our trees across the South West.
As well as the homes we provide for over 80,000 residents, we also provide habitats for our local wildlife through the trees we plant and care for.
With the tree planting season in motion, we are increasing our tree count as we are currently working alongside Plymouth Council to plant 23 trees across Old Farm Road and Red Brick Field.
As we continue to increase the number of our trees across the region, we have measured our environmental benefits as we take further steps to help our planet with 104 tree species.
Owain Holland, our Tree Officer, said: “It is great for us to celebrate the 50th anniversary of National Tree Week and highlight the wonderful and positive impact that our trees have for our residents and the environment.
“It is really important that we plant, care and protect our trees. They provide so many ecosystem benefits.
“As trees work hard to capture pollution, which are released into the atmosphere from acts like driving cars and running a train, trees also provide homes for countless of creatures.
“As we continue to raise awareness to help the environment, we are also seeing more of our residents raise enquiries for us to plant a tree safely in their area.
“We have lots of procedures to follow to ensure our trees are also safe for our communities, residents and homes.”
Trees in our local areas have numerous benefits for our planet, nature, wildlife and us (human beings).
Benefits range from health and wellbeing, air and water filtration, cooling down our planet, food, wildlife, habitats and more.
Owain added: “Earlier this year, we planted lots of trees in West Cornwall. They have been in the ground for around a year, and they have been 99% successful, which is great to see.
“We also have enquiries about community orchards, and it is great for us to get involved in these projects and take further steps to helping the environment by planting young trees.
“When we can and when suitable to do so, we leave habitat areas on site with branches and logs to help our local wildlife.”
Through our Creating Greener Futures Together campaign, we are continuing to explore new ways to help the environment and encourage sustainability.
To take further steps towards sustainability, we have recently retrofitted more of our least energy-efficient homes to reduce the carbon footprint of our homes.
Click here to read more about the retrofit works we have done to Peter and Anita's home.