Thousands of trees planted
Published
Tuesday 4 February, 2025
Updated
Tuesday 4 February, 2025
Swale's landscape is getting a boost of green thanks to the dedication of volunteers who have helped plant over 15,000 trees across the borough.
Planting efforts took place in Faversham, Sittingbourne, and the Isle of Sheppey, resulting in 1,000 new trees in the ground this January alone.
Volunteers joined forces with Swale Borough Council at Satis Avenue in Milton Regis, Foxley Road Open Space in Queenborough, and Newman Drive in Kemsley in 2025.
With the latest planting event taking place at Faversham Recreation Ground on 29 January, where the friends' group and other volunteers spent the day planting young trees (whips) around the park.
These events were originally planned for National Tree Week (November 23rd - December 1st), but the planting season was delayed due to a hotter-than-usual winter.
These newly planted trees from part of the final phase of Swale Borough Council's ambitious goal of planting 15,000 trees, funded by a £273,400 grant from the Forestry Commission's Local Authority Tree Fund.
This fund supports the restoration of trees in areas impacted by disease and habitat loss, with the council planting 15,000 whips and 350 standard trees in the past two years to combat this.
Cllr Rich Lehmann, Chair of Swale Borough Council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee said:
"These generous volunteers are helping to make Swale a greener and more attractive place.
“Together, we've planted 15,000 trees over the past two years - a massive accomplishment that will benefit our wildlife, reduce flooding, and help offset the borough’s carbon emissions.
“We also regularly organize volunteer days to remove and recycle tree guards, so your help in keeping our woodlands litter-free is always welcome.
"We'd love to see even more volunteers at future events so follow us on social media, so you don’t miss out, and, of course, a huge thank you to everyone who has helped us so far.”
For information on upcoming community planting days or weather-related cancellations, please follow Swale Borough Council on social media.
