EFFORTS to plant a tree for every school aged child in Bradford took a step forward when 10 fruit trees werte planted at a Bradford Primary School.

The planting session took place at Horton Park Primary on Monday, with apple, pear, plum and cherry trees planted along with ten fruit bushes – blackberry, raspberry, gooseberry, redcurrant and white currant.

The work is part of Bradford Council’s Tree for Every Child project, which was launched last November, and is a pledge to plant 55,000 trees across the district over the next two years – the equivalent to one per primary school child.

The Council has invested £250,000 into the programme and invited schools and community groups to express an interest in taking part. The programme is being supported by Trees for Cities which is funded by The Dulverton Trust, The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund and The Arbor Day Foundation. As well as The players of the Postcode Lottery.

Bradford awarded £15,000 to help plant 55,000 trees - one for every school child

Fruit Works, a Leeds-based co-operative social enterprise which specialises in planting, pruning and propagating fruit trees, is one of the partners in this scheme. Others include Trees for Cities, Forest of Bradford (BEAT), Bradford Environmental Education Service, Yorgreen CIC, Town and Parish Councils.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “It’s great to see the Tree for Every Child Project progressing, despite the obstacles of the Covid-19 pandemic. Trees are a source of food, wellbeing and a force for the good against climate change and we hope these new trees will be enjoyed for years to come.”

Planting trees is a major factor in tackling climate change – a single tree can absorb 22kg of carbon dioxide per year and 100 square metres of woodland can store nearly four tonnes.

Tree planting and A Tree for Every Child are one of a number of measures Bradford Council is taking to tackle climate changes and reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2038.