NEW woodland in Bewdley is beginning to take shape as part of an initiative to plant more trees.

The county council has pledged to plant 150,000 trees over the next 5 years with the Bewdley site being the first to be completed.

Half of the trees allocated have now been planted near to the Blackstone Picnic Place site, with phase 2 of the planting taking place early in the new year.

When complete, a total of 8,000 native trees like oak, hazel, Rowan and birch will have been planted at this site with other sites across the county highlighted to complete the planting target by the end of 2025.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Councillor Tony Miller, cabinet member with responsibility for the environment said: “We’re really pleased with the progress we’re making in terms of meeting our commitment to create new woodland areas across the county, particularly at our Bewdley site. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank local member Councillor Ian Hardiman for his ongoing commitment and support towards this project.

“We’re really keen for the new woodland areas to become something our residents and our local communities can really become involved in. I hope this inspires other organisations to join us in planting more trees on land they own so further new woodlands can be created to create a lasting green legacy for future generations.”

The council is also looking into other sites, alongside the ones at Bewdley and Evesham as the project continues over the next five years.

The progress with the council’s tree planting initiative coincides with the launch of nationwide Queen’s Green Canopy project.

The council has been working closely with the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Patrick Holcroft to bring more woodland to the county, as part of the Queen’s Platinum anniversary.

The project aims to creating a lasting legacy in honour of The Queen’s lifetime of service to the Nation.