Somerset Council has secured half a million pounds of Government funding to bring hundreds of trees to towns across the county.

The £500,000 grant from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund will see nearly 700 mature trees planted and cover maintenance and care costs for the next three years.

This initiative will benefit parks managed by the Town Councils in Shepton Mallet, Crewkerne, Taunton, and Castle Cary and Ansford, as well as several council-owned parks in Yeovil. And, Somerton Sports Ground Trust will also receive new trees.

Somerset Council’s Woodland Creation Team is collaborating with all beneficiaries to ensure the right trees are planted in the right places for the right reasons, with proper aftercare in place.

Planting has already begun and should be complete by the end of the tree planting season at the end of March. Last month, the Mayor of Taunton, Councillor Vanessa Garside joined in to plant a wild cherry tree in Taunton Green.

• Taunton Town Council receives 403 trees across Taunton Green, Greenway Recreation Ground (Leslie Avenue), Lyngford Park, Pennys Field, Galmington Recreation Ground, Victoria Park, Hamilton Gault Park and Hawthorn Park (Upper Holway).
• Castle Cary and Ansford Town Councils receive 74 trees which are proposed for the Cricket Ground and Fairfield.
• Crewkerne Town Council receives 15 trees at Barn Street Recreation Ground.
• Shepton Mallet Town Council has secured 33 trees for Collett Park.
• Somerton Recreation Ground Trust receives 46 trees to plant within the sports ground.
• Somerset Council owned parks in Yeovil are receiving 100 trees at Oak Tree Park, Yew Tree Park, Milford Park, and Lower Milford.

Councillor Graham Oakes, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Public Health, Environment and Climate Change said:

We are thrilled to have secured funding from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund allowing us to plant more trees in urban green spaces across Somerset.

“This initiative is another step towards enhancing our green spaces and a significant move towards ensuring cleaner air and a healthier environment for our communities. As part of our ten-year Somerset Tree Strategy, we are committed to investing in a greener, more sustainable future for Somerset.

Planting trees within urban green spaces is essential for creating vibrant, diverse, and resilient environments. This project supports the ‘future-proofing’ of urban green spaces, providing benefits such as urban cooling, increased water absorption, shade provision, improved air quality, and reduced road noise. The inclusion of edible fruit and nut species offers free, healthy, and accessible food, contributing to social, health, and environmental benefits. All plantings are designed to complement and enhance the existing and future use of green spaces, ensuring they provide shade and urban cooling for future generations.

The council will also encourage the beneficiaries of this funding to root for Somerset and map their new trees on the Somerset Tree Planting Register. With Somerset’s tree canopy currently at just 8%, our aim is to reach at least the national average of 13%. Every tree counts, and the Somerset Tree Planting Register is crucial for tracking our important planting goals. We also call on all residents, businesses, schools, farmers, organisations and anyone who has recently planted new trees to map them on the register and make them count.