13.12.2021

Over 400 trees have been planted at special events in Cardiff parks during National Tree Week.

Three special tree planting events took place at Celtic Park, Whitchurch; Kitchener Gardens, Riverside andParc Y Pentre,Rhiwbina where 58 volunteers braved the winter weather and picked up their shovels to help plant the trees as part of Cardiff council's Coed Caerdydd project.

Coed Caerdydd is an ambitious 10-year programme of tree canopy expansion in Cardiff, linked to the city's One Planet climate change strategy.

The Council's One Planet Strategy includes an aim to increasetree canopy from 18.9% to 25% by 2030. To do this, Cardiff council have established a long term tree planting programme for the city called Coed Caerdydd.

Cherries, crab apples, beech and chestnut trees were among the varieties planted by local volunteers including teachers and pupils from Kitchener Primary andRhiwbeinaPrimary schools, volunteers from Lloyds Bank and local ward members.

As part of the project, the Parks team also installed new street trees in the Riverside ward and relocated birch trees to Roath recreation grounds which had been temporarily planted in Wellfield Road.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said:"It's great to see such a brilliant turnout and our community pull together to create something that will be enjoyed for generations.

"This important work done by our volunteers will have an impact now and for years to come, these trees play a critical role in protecting the city's air quality and wildlife.

"Thank you to everyone involved with the preparations to source the right conditions for the trees and to all our volunteers for their hard work during the events."

Chloe Jenkins, Volunteer Co-ordinator said: "We are very excited to launch the new Coed Caerdydd project. Collaboration will be key to ensuring the success of this project and that we plant the right trees in the right places. As such we are thrilled to have had the support of so many local volunteers on these first planting events.

"Please join our network if you would like to be kept informed of future planting events and project progress."
 

Find out more about Coed Caerdydd here:  www.outdoorcardiff.com/biodiversity/coed-caerdydd,email the project team via:  coedcaerdyddproject@cardiff.gov.ukor follow the project on Facebook  @CoedCaerdydd