Trees set to line streets in greening of a city

New trees are being planted along some of Ripon’s major routes in a joint venture between Ripon Civic Society and Harrogate Borough Council, with help from North Yorkshire County Council.

Over the coming weeks, the borough council’s arboriculture staff will plant 45 new trees on Knaresborough Road, Boroughbridge Road, Kirkby Road and Palace Road, as well as by Ripon Canal and Paddies Park. There will also be new planting on Hutton Bank on the A61 approach to the roundabout.

It comes after the civic society approached the two councils and requested that more trees were planted along the city’s roads – both in new locations and where trees had been removed over the years – following a survey of the main approaches to the city. The new trees will also mark Ripon’s Diamond Jubilee next year.

Ripon Civic Society committee member Richard Taylor, who is leading the project, said: “Trees play an important role in the city. Both councils have been extremely helpful, and we are very pleased that these new trees are being planted to herald in the Diamond Jubilee year. The civic society will continue to work with the councils to see more trees planted in the city over the coming years.”

The new trees, which are a mix of lime, oak, beech, hornbeam and alder, have been partially funded from commuted sums – a compulsory contribution given by developers as part of any agreed planning permission to help enhance amenity green spaces throughout the whole district. Harrogate Borough Council’s tree management budgets will also help fund the scheme.

Horticultural students from Askham Bryan College will help plant the trees as part of continuing links between the college and the borough council’s arboricutural section.