Lib Dem Councillors encourage residents to support newly planted trees at risk

Local Liberal Democrat Councillors are asking residents to look out for newly planted trees in their areas that are struggling to establish since being planted. 

City of York Council, using funding secured by York's Liberal Democrats prior to 2023, has been planting large numbers of trees across the city in recent years, with over 200,000 planted in the community woodland, and about 5,000 trees planted in the urban area as part of its 'Green Streets' initiative. 

However, this year, when the focus of tree planting was council-owned verges and public spaces, York's Liberal Democrats raised concerns over the lack of consultation over where the trees were planted. While additional tree planting is welcome in principle, greater engagement with local councillors and communities could have helped to ensure that planting is done in the right places and that support is in place to care for the trees once planted.

In Haxby and Wigginton, Liberal Democrat Councillor Andrew Hollyer raised concerns about the condition of some local trees, which, as their planting was delayed, and with the extremely dry weather so far this year, are at risk of dying. 

Cllr Andrew Hollyer said: "If a tree in your area looks to be in poor condition due to a lack of water, please consider giving it a bucket full now and then.

"It is disappointing that the Council did not seem to fully think through the aftercare plan for when the trees were planted, leaving them to the elements, despite the huge cost of their planting."