Cornwall Council is saying a big thank you to everyone who has helped plant trees for the Forest for Cornwall so far. 

St Ives School trees
Council leader Linda Thomas and MP Derek Thomas with pupils and staff planting trees at St Ives School

With the 2021-22 planting season now complete, more than 300,000 trees have been put in the ground in woods, parks, farms, community spaces, schools, streets, and gardens across Cornwall since 2019. 

Every tree planted counts towards the 8,000-hectare Forest for Cornwall — equivalent to up to 15,000 football pitches — which is key to helping Cornwall reach its goal to become carbon neutral. 

Cabinet member for environment and climate change, Martyn Alvey, said: “We want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have gone out in all weathers to plant trees in your communities as part of our Forest for Cornwall. 

“This important initiative is making fantastic progress and key to absorbing Cornwall’s carbon emissions and reducing our impact on the planet. But it can only happen if, with our support, you as communities, organisations, farmers, and individuals help get trees in the ground and grow our canopy cover.   

“We also want to thank the range of partnership organisations who have contributed funding, trees and staff time, with particular thanks to the Woodland Trust, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Defra, and the Forestry Commission.

“With the summer months, now is the time to give extra water, care, and attention to the trees you’ve planted and start planning for the next planting season in the autumn.  

“And if you haven’t already done so, please let us know about any trees you have planted so we can make sure they’re registered on our Forest for Cornwall website.