Tree and Woodland Strategy

The Councils Tree and Woodland Strategy was agreed in 2021. 

The purpose of the Tree and Woodland Strategy is to recognise the importance of trees, the many benefits they afford us and the increasingly important role they can play in mitigating the effects of climate change. The strategy is required to ensure the Council's limited budget is focused on positive planting programmes and managing tree care and risks. 

Trees play a significant role in improving environmental conditions and people's quality of life. They act as carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas) and produce oxygen; they can also filter, absorb and reduce pollutants. Trees can make our Borough a healthier, more attractive, and more comfortable place to live and work. They provide food and shelter for wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and insects, as well as for people; they have been proven to increase property value and to help relax people by lowering heart rates and reducing stress. 

The StAND for Trees initiative aims to plant a tree for every person in the borough - that's 160,000.  Since it began, the initiative has resulted in the planting of 45,000 new trees.  Many of these tree planning events have been done in partnership with local volunteers, school and community groups, Forestry School association, RNLI and others. 

To further add value to the Strategy, community orchards will be planted.  Ards and North Down now has 12 Community Orchards, planted by local community groups and schools.  The plan is to plant 3 per year. 

To support the Tree and Woodland Strategy, a network of Community Tree Nurseries and Community Seed Gathering projects have been developed.  This new Seed2Leaf initiative will allow local communities to come together and gather local tree seeds, plant, care for them and allow them to grow to young trees. 

All of this work, supported by a wide range of engagement activities and events, will see the delivery of a successful Tree and Woodland Strategy.