MID Devon District Council is kick-starting the New Year by planting 172 trees across the district following another successful bid to the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF).

The Council submitted a joint application for the funding in partnership with Trees for Cities, a charitable organisation dedicated to enhancing urban green spaces.

The Urban Tree Challenge Fund, an initiative run by the Forestry Commission, aims to increase access to nature in urban areas.

Utilising the 80 per cent match funding, the Council will plant a minimum of 10 standard-sized trees at each of 16 sites in Tiverton, Willand, Cullompton, Uffculme, and Crediton.

The trees have started to be planted on council-owned housing and open space land, and the entire tree planting project is expected to be completed by March.

Councillor Natasha Bradshaw, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Tree planting is one of the most effective ways to improve our environment and support local wildlife.

“We are proud to be continuing this important work, which not only contributes to our biodiversity targets but also creates healthier, greener spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

This initiative builds on previous successful planting efforts, which saw the Council secure match funding to plant 66 standard trees across six locations.

The Council also planted approximately 50 orchard trees across two sites, and over 600 whip trees in Tiverton, Cullompton, and Crediton during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 planting seasons.

Together, these efforts aim to improve the district’s green spaces, foster biodiversity, and enhance the quality of life for local residents.

The planting project is a key step in helping the district achieve the goals outlined in the Devon Tree and Woodland Strategy, which aims to increase tree canopy cover to an average of 16.5 per cent across the county by 2050.