Funding Boost Means More New Tree Planting this Winter

Dacorum Borough Council has secured £53,600 in funding to plant 69 trees across the borough this winter. This adds to the 50 trees already planned for planting this season.
The funding has been provided by the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) to plant the trees, which range from two to three metres tall.
The trees will be planted in six carefully selected locations in Dacorum: Aldbury, Berkhamsted, Flamstead, Hemel Hempstead, Potten End, and Tring. These sites have been identified as areas in need of replacement planting, following the loss of trees in recent years due to pests, diseases, and other threats.
The Council has planted more than 7,000 trees, including young whips, over the past five years.
A range of 20 native species will be planted, including various species of maple, rowan, cherry, hazel, birch, lime, and hawthorn. They will not only enhance biodiversity and improve ecosystem connectivity, but will also offer flood protection and enhance air quality.
In addition to planting, the funding covers the cost of essential maintenance activities for three years, ensuring that the new trees are cared for.
Councillor Robin Bromham, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Operations, said: ‘This funding is fantastic news for our local communities. By planting these trees, we will replace what has been lost and create a legacy for future generations, all while making our borough a greener and healthier place to live.’
The LATF, part of the Government’s Nature for Climate Fund, supports efforts to restore and enhance England’s natural landscapes. This funding will help to restore lost habitats and strengthen local biodiversity.
All planting and related activities for this project will be completed by the end of March 2025.
For more information about the Council’s Trees and Woodlands, visit: www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/environment-street-care/clean-safe-green/trees-and-woodlands
Image: Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) — one of the tree species selected for planting.