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Exciting project sees more than 100 trees planted in Brighton

6th April 2022

The trees have been planted across the city of Brighton & Hove as part of an exciting project aiming to increase urban tree cover in coastal areas.

Since the start of the year, CPRE Sussex has been organising community tree planting events as part of the Trees for Cities’ Forgotten Places project.

Planting has taken place in Bevendean, Woodingdean, Portslade and on the Bristol Estate.

Jenni Cresswell from CPRE Sussex said: “We have been working flat out with the council’s Arboriculture Team to plant all 102 of our trees as part of this exciting project.”

The Bristol Estate planting was hosted by BELTA to support The Queen’s Green Canopy Project.

Juliet Smith, The Queen’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant, opened the day where Trees for Cities and Connick Tree Care staff supported the planting of a beautiful hawthorn and a hornbeam – two of 12 trees being planted on the estate.

Other trees include stone pine, elm, Callery pear and a stunning Gleditsia.

Bevendean was the location for an ambitious tree planting session with corporate sponsors Metlife.

They put their best digging foot forward, not only funding 18 trees but also sending six staff to plant 12 trees in one day, supported by Mark Gappa from BHCC.

Redwoods, birch and aspens were planted as part of a majestic planting scheme devised by Penny Hudd from CPRE Sussex.

“We are not just doing this because trees are lovely and picturesque,” said Penny. “They also have an important role to play in the local ecosystem and helping to ensure our city is a healthier place for everyone to live.”

Tree planting in Woodingdean received support from the Woodingdean Wilderness Group and local residents are now the proud custodians of 46 trees including Callery pears, crepe myrtle, stone pine and alders.

At Portslade, a mini community training event to plant two final trees out of 19 in the area took place in the sunshine at the end of March.

However, the project doesn’t end there. Partner organisation the Field Studies Council has produced a Tree ID Guide with input from tree experts in Brighton and will produce two more before the year is out.

The first guide was taken up by 13,065 people with Brighton residents ordering the highest number out of seven participating locations across the UK.

Alongside the printed guides, the Field Studies Council is also running three Tree ID training courses throughout the year.

Visit field-studies-council.org/free-tree-training to book your place.

In 2021, CPRE Sussex’s Plant your Postcode volunteers, supported by Brighton & Hove City Council’s Arboriculture team and Hove Civic Society, made a successful bid to take part in Forgotten Places.

Read: PRESS RELEASE_ Exciting project sees more than 100 trees planted in Brighton