Cornwall Council is asking residents to help plant the Forest for Cornwall, take action to fight the climate emergency and bring more nature into their communities.

The programme to plant carbon-absorbing woodlands and forests across 8,000 hectares of land – equivalent to 15,000 football pitches – is part of the unitary authority’s climate change action plan to help Cornwall reach net-zero emissions by 2030.

However, the council says it can only happen if, with Council support, organisations, landowners, communities and individuals get trees in the ground across multiple locations including woods, parks, farmland, towns, villages and gardens.

Every tree planted since September 2019 counts towards the Forest for Cornwall and, according to Cornwall Council, more than 200,000 trees have already been planted.

Residents are also being reminded to register any new trees on the Forest for Cornwall website now.

With National Tree Week running from November 27 to December 5, the council is highlighting a range of tree-planting events and educational activities to get residents of all ages and backgrounds involved and starting to contribute to the Forest for Cornwall.

Councillor Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: "There is considerable interest out there from our residents, community groups, partners, suppliers, contractors and landowners alike for tree planting, the Forest for Cornwall and working together to tackle the climate emergency but also to bring more wildlife and biodiversity into our communities.

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"We have attracted significant external funding for the Forest for Cornwall and developed strong local relationships with the private sector and landowners.

"Now we are calling on everyone to get involved in tree planting, whether it’s a largescale project or community planting or an individual tree in your garden - get your boots muddy during National Tree Week and throughout the winter planting season.

"And don’t forget to register the trees you plant as being part of the Forest for Cornwall."

The Forest for Cornwall aims to extend canopy cover over an additional two per cent of Cornwall’s total land area and capture 38,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year, representing one per cent of Cornwall’s current greenhouse gas emissions.

Some of the tree planting events taking place across Cornwall are:

  • Planting of commemorative Landmark Trees in 46 towns and parishes where free trees have been given through the Forest for Cornwall. and Woodland Trust Emergency Tree Fund to celebrate or commemorate a person, place or event.
  • Volunteer tree planting at Trenow Fields, a market garden near Marazion, where more than 5,000 trees need to get in the ground this winter to create shelterbelts and widen hedges for wildlife.
  • Tree-planting sessions in Calstock from November 27 – 29 to grow the Forest for Calstock.
  • A Making Space for Nature project led by Helston Town Council and Helston Climate Action Group at King George V Playing Field, Helston, where pupils from St Michael’s School are helping to plant more than 400 Woodland Trust trees on November 29.
  • An agroforestry talk and farm walk for farmers and landowners in Ladock on December 3.
  • Talks on Cornish orchards and woodlands at the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro on November 30.
  • Educational workshops on trees hosted by a Forest School tutor for all ages at the Royal Cornwall Museum on December 4 and Falmouth Library on November 27 and December 4.