Humber Forest Initiative: 400,000 trees planted to boost Yorkshire's green future

Humber Forest has planted a quarter of a million tress in the last twelve months, taking their three year total to 400,000 trees planted across Hull, East Yorkshire and, North Lincolnshire.

Funded by Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), Humber Forest is one of 15 community forests across the UK established around some of the country’s largest towns and cities.

Community forests seek to provide a wealth of green space for people to enjoy whilst boosting the area’s biodiversity. These trees can play a vital role in reducing soil erosion and flooding, improving air quality, creating habitats for wildlife, and improving community spaces.

Humber Forest is a part of the wider Northern Forest which has led to the planting of 8 million trees since 2018. The Northern Forest also includes the Mersey Forest surrounding Liverpool and the City of Trees in Greater Manchester.

Despite being funded by central government, Humber Forest is a joint venture between the three local authorities, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and, North Lincolnshire Council, with the three councils working in partnership to bring the forest to life.

The majority of Humber Forest’s 400,000 trees have been planted by volunteers including local residents in Cottingham who who planted 576 trees alongside Dent Road.

Humber Forest supported East Yorkshire farmer Rob Meadley to plant two hectares of trees (roughly three football pitches) in memory of his father, Phil. Rob, whose farm is in North Frodingham, decided to plant the trees on an area of land which he had found tricky to farm.

He said: “The project was aimed at increasing the biodiversity and connectivity across the farm and will be a lasting legacy for my father.”

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

East Riding Councillor Paul West, cabinet member for environment and transport said: “This is a fantastic initiative, it’s great to see the numerous benefits that these trees can produce, from biodiversity to local community enhancement.”

He added: “Many thanks to the landowners and volunteers involved in growing the Humber Forest, and we encourage those who would like to be involved in future plantings to contact the Humber Forest team.”