More than 1000 trees planted by Humber Forest to mark the start of planting season

Laura Cross
·3-min read
The volunteers educated the children at Skibdy Primary School on the essential role trees play
-Credit: (Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)


Humber Forest has kicked off the new tree planting season with over 1,000 saplings planted across various sites in the region last week.

The trees were planted as part of several projects throughout the county, including at a primary school in Skidby and farmland in Goole and Holderness.

Volunteers took the opportunity to educate children at Skibdy Primary School about the crucial role trees play in preserving our local environment, preventing soil erosion, and providing habitats for wildlife. Last year, the Humber Forest team planted an impressive 238,000 trees, a number they hope to surpass in this planting season with a target of 250,000-300,000 trees by March 2025.

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Currently, the team is collaborating with over 100 landowners across Hull, East Yorkshire, and North Lincolnshire who are keen on planting trees on their property. Projects range from a golf course looking to enhance its landscape with more trees, school orchards, community woodlands, as well as hedgerows and parkland-style planting on farms to provide shade and shelter for animals.

The saplings for Humber Forest plantings are grown at Mires Beck Nursery in North Cave, an East Yorkshire charity that supports adults with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and Autism.

Humber Forest, backed by the Defra Nature for Climate Fund, serves as the community forest for Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. It's one of 15 such forests across England and forms part of the expansive Northern Forest that extends from Liverpool to the Yorkshire Coast.

The team collaborates with communities, businesses, and landowners to boost tree cover and preserve existing woodland. Humber Forest offers grants covering up to 100% of the costs for planting and a minimum of five years' maintenance for farmers, landowners, businesses, and communities wishing to plant hedgerows or trees on their property.

Councillor Paul West, East Riding of Yorkshire cabinet member for environment and transport at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:” This is a wonderful project and its great to see so many trees planted across the region. Trees provide innumerable benefits for communities and wildlife, and I look forward to the Humber Forest expanding further over the coming year.”

Stuart Richardson, Skidby Primary School Headteacher said: "At Skidby CE Primary, our vision is that we can make a big difference within our community. One way we can do this is by improving our natural environment.

"We believe that nature plays a key role in the development of young minds and by integrating green spaces into our school site, we are providing our students with an opportunity to engage with the environment, learn about biodiversity, and understand the importance of taking care of our planet.

"The trees we’ve planted today will provide shade, improve air quality, and offer a peaceful space for our students to learn and reflect well into the future."

The planting of trees and hedgerows in the Humber Forest is supported by funding from the Trees for Climate and Northern Forest Grow Back Greener funds.

Humber Forest can fund both large and small projects, providing up to 100% of agreed costs for tree planting, hedgerow creation and maintenance. It also offers support for tree protection, fences, gates and more. For additional information or to participate, visit www.humberforest.org or email humber.forest@eastriding.gov.uk.

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