SCHOOLS, community groups and Bradford Council officers have been out planting trees across Bradford District as part of National Tree Week.

Tomorrow pupils from Reevy Hill Primary School with help from Bradford Council officers, will plant nine trees and shrubs at Brafferton Arbor, Buttershaw.

Cherry trees, a damson, a crab apple, a hazel and a walnut tree will be planted to attract pollinators and brighten up the area.

Headteacher at Reevy Hill Primary School Mick McKenna, said: “Our pupils are excited about coming to plant trees in our neighbourhood – we’re really keen for our children to be aware of how important trees are for the whole environment, including how we benefit too. We will be able to keep track of how fast they grow and the fruit they produce.”

On Friday members of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara will plant five walnut trees in Peel Park to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism.

Walnuts were chosen as they have been present in the UK landscape for several centuries but their origin includes the Panjab region of the Indian subcontinent.

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Members of Baildon Town Council, Bradford Council officers and Bradford Environmental Action Trust are planting a Mountain Ash today to mark the beginning of their 2019/20 project to increase the number and variety of trees in Baildon.

Groups will also plant trees on Coach Road, and Thompson Lane in Shipley.

And pupils at Hoyle Court Primary School in Baildon will also be rolling up their sleeves and laying down new roots in their community by planting trees in their school grounds.

With the help of a grant from The Tree Council, one of the UK’s leading tree charities, they will be planting a range of trees including Oak, Beech and Birch. In addition, they will be planting fruit trees so children can eventually pick their own fruit.

National Tree Week is the UK's largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season.

Trees produce oxygen, store carbon, improve air quality, conserve water, preserve soil, and support wildlife.

They are believed by environmental groups and scientists to be a key solution to climate change and make community spaces more beautiful and improve people’s wellbeing.

Steve Hartley, Strategic Director for Bradford Council, said: “National Tree Planting week marks the beginning of this season’s work to increase the number of trees in the district which will help slow climate change, improve biodiversity and create healthier, leafy environments.

“It’s great to see more individuals, community groups, town councils and business organisations taking the initiative and coming forward with proposals for planting trees within our green spaces”.