Thousands of new trees planted as Chesterfield prepares to welcome spring

Chesterfield Borough Council said it has been planting trees in parks and green spaces and providing protection to ensure the saplings can thrive.

They have been planted in Holmebrook Valley Park, Highfield Park, Langer Lane and Spital Park.

All the new trees have been protected with fencing, not only to protect them from damage but also to help create small havens around the trees in which wildlife can flourish.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are committed to planting at least 1,000 new trees each year through both our Council Plan and our Climate Change Action Plan.

"These new trees will not only help ensure we have a beautiful borough; they will also help improve biodiversity and over time will absorb carbon and help mitigate our emissions.

“I know we have plans to add many more trees to the borough over the coming years and I hope that local residents will support our ambitions to make Chesterfield a greener borough.”

The saplings which have been planted are a mixture of Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Alder, Hazel, White Willow, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Holly, Euonymus, Beech and Hornbeam.

Using a mixture of species will help improve biodiversity which will in turn create a great habitat for wildlife such as birds and insects, the council said.

The Woodland Trust said biodiversity is ‘critical’ to the lives of humans too and trees are an important aspect of that because of the species and ecosystems they form.

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