A SCHEME to plant a tree for every child in Bradford is gaining momentum, with Bradford Council working with partners to plant trees at a further 26 schools across the District.

The project will see trees planted at 46 schools this year, with 20 of them getting fruit trees and shrubs, delivered by Fruit Works Co-operative and other organisations helping to plant native trees.

Partners include: Bradford Environmental Action Trust (BEAT), Forest of Bradford – part of Bradford Environmental Education Service (BEES), and YORgreencic will be working with children, staff, volunteers, Trees for Cities and Bradford Council’s Trees and Woodlands Team to plant trees in the grounds of schools and nurseries.

BEES have already done some planting at Lidget Green Primary School in December. Approximately 55 children from four primary schools also planted several hundred trees at Newhall Park in early December, completing the planting started there at the end of November for TfEC and the Queen’s Green Canopy.

The following planting sessions have been set up so far for 2022:

• 1 and 2 February: St Columba's Catholic Primary School – planting with YORgreencic for TfEC and Trees for Cities’ Planting Healthy Air in Schools project

• 10 February: High Crags Primary School with YORgreencic

• 24 and 25 February: Newby Primary School with BEES

• 3 March: Farfield Primary and Nursery School

• 17 March: Strong Close Nursery with YORgreencic

• 24 March: St Clare’s Catholic Primary School with YORgreencic.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places, said: “We have got off to a great start for 2022 with A Tree for Every Child. The project also helps engage our children and young people in the value of having trees nearby, and in taking practical action for the climate and their local surroundings. These new trees will benefit these schools and surrounding communities for years to come.”

The Tree for Every Child project, launched in November 2020, aims to plant 55,000 trees – the equivalent of one tree per primary school child – over a four-year period. So far approximately 26,000 trees have been planted.

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.