Winter tree planting success rooted by community support
South Derbyshire District Council has completed a successful winter 2024/2025 tree planting programme, planting 184 new trees across parks, cemeteries, and public open spaces. This initiative, strengthened by community involvement will enhance urban tree cover, biodiversity, and green spaces for future generations.
The tree planting focused on our three Green Flag-winning parks - Maurice Lea Memorial Park (28 trees), Eureka Park (25 trees), and Newhall Park (19 trees). Additional locations included Swadlincote Woodlands, York Road Cemetery, Newhall Cemetery, with 80 further trees planted across various public open spaces in Newhall, Woodville, Castle Gresley, Swadlincote, Midway, and Church Gresley. The trees planted included a mix of flowing trees, fruit trees and species aimed at enhancing biodiversity, carbon capture and climate resilience.
A highlight of the programme was the enthusiastic participation of schoolchildren from Swadlincote’s Belmont Primary School, Church Gresley’s St George’s and Newhall Junior School, who not only helped plant trees but also named them. The involvement of younger generations through school participation is seen as invaluable in helping future generations understanding of the importance of trees to our environment and local areas.
Local residents and park visitors took part in the planting programme, reinforcing the community’s connection to green spaces and the Council’s priority of ‘Working together to shape our environment’ by addressing climate change and enhancing ecology, in line with our recent climate and ecological declarations.
Ongoing maintenance will include regular watering, weed control, and mulching around the bases of the trees.
This project’s success would not have been possible without the support of key partners, including: The National Forest Company – for their ongoing funding support, Barcham’s Trees – for providing high-quality trees; and finally, the Council’s Grounds Maintenance Team for ensuring the planting was carried out efficiently and safely.
Councillor Stephen Taylor, Chair of the Council’s Environmental and Development Services Committee emphasised the importance of enhancing the natural environment, stating: “Our woodlands and green spaces are vital for both people and wildlife, and this initiative is a key part of our ongoing Ecological and Climate Emergency work.
“It’s been fantastic to see such strong community support for this initiative. I’d like to thank all the staff, volunteers, schools and local residents who have given their time and effort to make this programme such a success.”
The Council currently manages around 8,000 mapped individual trees and multiple woodland areas. While tree removal is sometimes necessary for public safety and landscape management, the Council remains committed to replacing each felled tree with two or three new trees to ensure a net gain in tree cover.
We encourage residents to take part in future tree-planting projects to help create a greener, more sustainable South Derbyshire. Whether you are a school, local organization, or individual volunteer, your involvement can make a real difference. If you’d like to participate in our upcoming planting initiatives, please contact South Derbyshire District Council’s Environmental Services Team.
To enquire about getting involved, please email TreesandWoodlands@southderbyshire.gov.uk - together, we can continue to grow a greener future!
Pictured - schoolchildren from Newhall Junior School helping Council staff with our tree planting programme.
24 March 2025