A tree planting scheme aimed at improving the Essex environment has seen over 100 trees planted around Brightlingsea as part of the Essex Forest Initiative.
Hurst Green, Brightlingsea Primary School and Brightlingsea Community Centre are among the locations, part of a five-year Essex Forest Initiative to plant £1 million worth of trees in the county. So far, over 400,000 trees and 51km of hedgerows have been planted.
Under the scheme, aimed at improving air quality, locking up carbon, encouraging biodiversity and reducing flooding, the trees will be watered and looked after for three years.
Planting is free for schools and parishes. Essex County Council contributes around 50% of the cost, with other organisations, including the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust, making up the remainder.
The majority of the trees are native British species, including oak, ash, hazel, hornbeam, field maple, holly, crab apple, poplar, willow and alder. Where possible, the 1-2 year-old trees have been sourced from Essex nurseries.
