A thousand trees were planted in Whitefield as part of a special campaign.
More than 80 people got their hands dirty when they helped plant 1,000 trees in Hurst Wood across two days on Thursday, October 13 and Saturday, October 15.
The City of Trees group alongside The Forestry Commission, has organised a series of tree planting sessions to help plant more than 4,000 trees in the woodland.
The 98 acre site in Whitefield is already home to 49 acres of native mixed broadleaf woodland.
City of Trees, alongside volunteers, is aiming to create additional woodland to breathe new life into the area. Families can next head down to plant a native tree and shrub, such as oak and wild cherry, on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm on both days.
In total two thousand trees have now been planted by volunteers across the site. The plan is to plant three million trees across Greater Manchester.
Andy Long, woodlands officer at City of Trees, said: “Trees deliver a whole range of benefits from creating healthier, happier communities to helping tackle climate change, reconnecting our children to the natural world, and providing essential habitats for wildlife.
“The addition of the 4,000 trees will help contribute to the City of Trees vision of planting three million trees within a generation – one for every man, woman and child in Greater Manchester. We’re hugely grateful to the volunteers who came down to get their hands dirty and plant trees with us. There are still plenty more opportunities to get involved.”
Councillor Alan Quinn, Bury council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “As part of the initiative to plant three million trees it’s fantastic that Hurst Wood has been chosen as a site to plant more than 4,000 trees. In 20 years the trees will have matured and they will be doing their job, cleaning the air. – people don’t realise how important they are in cleaning the environment.
“Hurst Wood will become part of the City Forest Park. It’s a tranquil place where people can enjoy a walk and families enjoy picnics when the weather is nice.”
City of Trees plans to transform 800 acres of green space across land in Bury, Bolton and Salford, to create City Forest Park.
Forestry Commission sites including Prestwich Forest Park, Philips Park, Drinkwater Park, Waterdale, Prestwich Clough, and Hurst Wood, west of Philips Park, would be encompassed by the new park.
Councillor Quinn added: ““It’s just what we need with our air quality deteriorating. It’s going to be a fantastic asset and will only be a 15 minute walk from the centre of Prestwich and Manchester.”
For more information all Amy the ranger on 0300 067 4340 or visit www.cityoftrees.org.uk/events
