This tree planting season Oxford City Council and ODS will be planting over 100 new trees as part of work to increase urban tree cover and biodiversity across the city.
In response to the climate emergency, Oxford City Council has planted over 10,000 new trees in its green spaces in recent years. This 2022/3 tree planting season, as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, the Council will be planting 103 trees across the city.
The Queen’s Green Canopy is a national project, which aims to encourage everyone including individuals, community groups, organisations, schools and businesses to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”, and in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Earlier this year, Oxford’s civic leaders planted a tree at Bernwood Road, Barton, as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.
In 2021 the Council published its Urban Forest Strategy and the planting this winter shows the Council’s commitment to “protect, manage, grow and expand our urban forest to help tackle the climate and ecological emergencies that we face”.
Trees have a much better chance of surviving and thriving if they are planted between October and April, ideally between November and March – this is commonly known as the tree-planting season.
Subject to weather conditions, the Council and ODS intend to plant 103 trees at the following locations.
Cricket Road - Jubilee Avenue
Earlier this year, the Council announced that it was to create a ‘Jubilee avenue’ as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. Unfortunately, technical assessment of subsurface utilities has ruled out planting along Ridgefield Road which had been identified as the location.
The Council has identified an alternative location of Cricket Road, which adjoins Ridgefield Road, where 12 trees will be planted for the Oxford’s Jubilee Avenue.
- Eleven trees will be planted on Cricket Road. Trees will be planted in empty tree pits, or will replace damaged trees
- The final tree will be planted outside the Regal Community Centre on Ridgefield Road
Urban Tree Challenge Fund
Earlier in the year the City Council and ODS were successful in obtaining grant funding through the Urban Tree Challenge Fund. The Fund helps communities and organisations to plant trees by providing funds to contribute towards the planting and establishment costs.
The Fund will help to plant trees at the following sites:
- 32 trees at Cowley Marsh Recreation Ground
- 15 trees at Margaret Road Recreational Ground
- 25 trees at Holloway Recreational Ground
- 16 trees at The Barn on Dunnock way
The trees will enhance these recreational grounds without impacting on sports provision, play areas and open green spaces.
St Giles War Memorial
Three cherry trees have been planted at St Giles War Memorial as part of the 75th anniversary of twinning links between Bonn and Oxford. The Cherry Trees selected were Prunus ‘Kanzan’ in honour of the famous Cherry Blossom Avenue in Bonn, Germany. The trees are a gift from Bonn and were planted by the District Mayor of Bonn, Jochen Reeh-Shall during Remembrance Weekend.
Treemails
This Tree Week Oxford City Council has launched a new newsletter mini-series for residents on the topic of tree planting, entitled ‘Treemails’. As 19% of all of Oxford’s land is contained in private gardens, these offer vitally important space for new tree planting.
The weekly mini-series, aims to act as an introduction to tree planting for people wanting to learn more during the tree planting season. The newsletter will cover key information and tips on tree planting including: when to plant your tree, what species to plant, how to plant, tree maintenance, and more.
Residents can sign up to the Treemails here.
“Tree planting is a valuable way for us to tackle the climate emergency, while also building resilience and adaptation to climate change. In Oxford the Council has planted 10,000 trees over the past decade, and we are delighted to be adding to this number for the Queens Green Canopy this tree planting season.
“When planting trees it is important to consider the Right Tree, Right Place approach to ensure that you are planting in the best possible way for the physical environment and the trees – especially in urban areas. We are looking forward to seeing these trees planted across the city.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council
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