Hundreds of additional trees will be planted across the city over the next two years as part of the city council's climate change commitment. 

The city council worked with Environmental Consultants, Johns Associates Ltd and The Woodland Trust to produce a Tree and Ecosystem Strategy and this enabled access to funding from the Forestry Commission. 

The city council has been granted funding of £134,619.12 thanks to a successful application to the Urban Tree Challenge Fund which will enable the planting of 200 trees. 

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Councillor Victoria Charleston said, “I am delighted that Salisbury City Council’s Tree and Ecosystem Strategy has provided the springboard to secure this substantial funding from the Forestry Commissions, Urban Tree Challenge Fund.

“Salisbury City Council is committed to planting more trees in the city to help tackle climate change, increase biodiversity and reduce pollution.”

Salisbury Journal: Additional trees for SalisburyAdditional trees for Salisbury (Image: Stock photo)

In the first year, 100 trees will be planted.

  • Hudson’s Field - 40 trees
  • The Friary - 10 trees
  • The Valley, Bemerton Heath - 25 trees
  • Essex Square - 10 trees
  • Westwood Open Space, Bemerton Heath - 15 trees.

In the second year, from 2024-2025, the remaining 100 trees will be planted.

  • St Paul’s Ward -  25 trees
  • St Edmunds Ward - 25 trees
  • Victoria Park - 50 trees

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Salisbury City Council had set a commitment to tackle climate change and an ambitious target to increase tree canopy cover on the land it owns or controls so that it the total will exceed the current national average of 16 per cent.

The council aims for Salisbury to reach at least 21 per cent tree canopy cover within each of the wards in Salisbury parish which per ward currently ranges between 6 per cent and 20 per cent according to data from the National Tree Atlas.