Council aims for 64,000 new trees in Manchester by 2050 as city wide campaign progresses

Manchester City Council has announced the next stage of its plan to plant 64,000 trees in the city by 2050. a total of 745 trees will be planted in the next six months.

Among the beneficiaries are St Willibrord’s RC Primary School in Clayton, where six new fruit trees – two apple, two cherry and two plum – were planted this week. Manchester people will be consulted on the new Tree and Woodland Action Plan, which sits alongside the Council’s existing Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy (to promote and protect green open spaces and waterways) before it is officially adopted early in 2024.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment , said: “With every year that passes, it feels like we understand more about the benefits of trees - not just in combatting climate change by removing and storing carbon but also in supporting resilience to its impacts by reducing flood risks and providing shade. This is in addition, of course, to them being a wildlife habitat and contributing to the appeal of neighbourhoods.  

“Tens of thousands of trees have been planted since we first started looking at this issue strategically and we now have a better understanding than ever of where our trees are and where more are needed. 

“Now we want to work with residents and organisations in the city to support the planting of even more. 

“The enthusiasm of the pupils at St Willbrord’s shows that our children understand the importance of growing for the future.” 

Carl McIver, Head teacher of St Willibrord’s RC Primary School, said:

"Developing our school grounds is a high priority for St Willibrord's and we are delighted with the support we have been given by Manchester City Council to begin the planting of our orchard. 

"As a school we are always looking at how we can educate our children about our environment and how we can support it. We see the planting of these trees as the beginning of a fantastic ongoing project to use our own school grounds and the local environment to support our planet. 

"We are very much looking forward to being able to sample our St Willibrord's fruit and it becoming part of our healthy food menu. Our pupils are excited about the opportunity to care and nurture for these new trees."