A PLAN to plant up to 17,000 new trees across the Stockport area has been unveiled.
Stockport Council, in partnership with City of Trees, has secured funding from central government’s Nature for Climate fund to carry out the planting.
The work is part of a Greater Manchester project to create 115 hectares of new woodland - the equivalent of up to 230,000 trees.
Cllr Sheila Bailey, cabinet member for Sustainable Stockport, said: “The council has declared a climate emergency and recognises that climate change presents us with a huge challenge of more extreme weather and a greater risk of flooding.
“We have set out ambitious plans to reduce our vulnerability to climate change and a key part of our plan is planting trees.
“Trees provide both water absorption and carbon capture and this funding, providing for up to 17,000 new trees in Stockport will make a significant contribution to our climate change strategy.”
Trees will be planted at the following locations early this year:
• Pear Mill open space – Offerton
• Brabyns Park - Marple
• Willow Grove (Tame Valley) - Reddish South
• New Zealand Road open space - Offerton
• Dial Park Road open space - Hazel Grove
• Gatley Hill open space (next to Scholes Park) - Gatley
• Bruntwood Park - Cheadle
• Happy Valley – Bramhall
The Nature for Climate Fund will fund a package of measures to help achieve the government’s carbon reduction targets.
Tree planting is an important part of that programme as trees absorb carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. Trees also trap air pollution and intercept and use rainwater thus improving air quality and reducing flood risk.