The council's new woodland management plan has seen 2,600 saplings planted.

Redditch Borough Council's woodland works team planted the native oak, field maple, and cherry saplings at Hunt End Lane and Arrow Valley Park over three days during December.

The planting was part of the council’s long-term plan, which began in 1995.

 

 

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It covers 168 hectares (415 acres) of woodlands.

The majority of the woodland area, 116 hectares (289 acres), comprises of five ancient woodlands, at Pitcheroak, Southcrest, Wirehill, Oakenshaw and Foxlydiate, and multiple smaller spinneys.

The remaining 52 hectares (126 acres) is the host of younger, largely new town plantations developed since the 1960s to separate homes, roads and industrial areas with less noise and a better air quality.

Cllr Brandon Clayton, the council's portfolio holder for environmental services, said: "People in Redditch know that you’ll struggle to find a greener town anywhere in England, and we’re proud of what the borough council and local residents do to keep it that way.

"What a mammoth effort by the teams to plant nearly three thousand trees.

"It’s great to see new trees going in like this and creating future-proof new plantings which will be enjoyed by generations to come."

The council aims to make the woodland plan self-sufficient to lessen the strain on council tax, which is primarily fueled by securing Forestry Commission grants and any proceeds from timber sales.

The funds for the new trees were sourced from a grant to replace trees lost due to ash dieback, with the council now taking responsibility for their maintenance.

The leader of the council, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: "Working closely with the Forestry Commission is an important part of the council’s work keeping Redditch green and we are grateful for their support."

For more about the borough's tree management, visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk/trees.