Trees Die Across York Due To Neglect

Newly planted trees across York have died and been removed in recent weeks, sparking anger among residents and campaigners who say the City of York Council has failed to make sure that they were properly cared for.

More than 1,100 trees were planted earlier this year by contractors in areas including the Knavesmire, Hull Road Park and Chesney Fields in Westfield ward. Some were mature trees protected by metal cages and some were young trees known as ‘whips.’ 

Trees are usually planted during the winter, but these were planted in the spring. This, combined with unusually warm and dry weather and a lack of watering, led to many of the trees dying. These have now been removed, with the intention being to plant replacements later in the year. 

One Dringhouses resident, Anne Fry, told Liberal Democrat Councillors: 

“It’s heartbreaking. All of that time, care, and money that went into growing these trees at the nursery, planting them out with volunteers and contractors—just thrown away. The council didn’t even bother to water them. It’s not just a waste, it’s vandalism.” 

Liberal Democrat councillor Paula Widdowson, Spokesperson for Environment and Climate Emergency said:

“This is environmental negligence, plain and simple. Trees are not just decorative, they are vital to our climate efforts and our quality of life. For the council to go to the trouble and expense of arranging for over a thousand trees to be planted and then not ensuring that the contactors cared for them is astonishing. The tree planting programme had been promoted as a key element of the council’s climate action plan but the tree deaths raise serious questions about whether political headlines were prioritised over long-term planning and delivery.”

Liberal Democrat Councillors are now calling for a public commitment that future planting schemes will include proper maintenance of trees.