The Big Climate Fightback - Tree Planting Consultation

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is working with the Woodland Trust to plant over 11,000 trees around the city. The tree planting scheme is funded by the Woodland Trust as part of the More Woods Grant (funded by Lloyds banking group) and is part of the ‘Big Climate Fightback’.

The Woodland Trust said: “Trees are our strongest warriors in the battle against climate change. They lock up carbon, fight flooding and cool our cities. But there are simply not enough of them to tackle the climate emergency. To hit the Government's 2050 carbon net zero target, the UK desperately needs more trees.

The areas proposed for the planting scheme are Allendale Walk, Sandy Road, Gill Bank, Dalton Grove, Frodingham Road, Goms Mill, Chelmsford Drive and Bankey Fields. Some locations will be left part planted to allow the local community to plant up and be involved should they wish, and we are asking residents to tell us what they think of the proposals and offer any suggestions to improve the proposed scheme.

To see details of the scheme please click the link below:

Download the proposed tree planting scheme

The species used for the planting scheme will be pioneer species such as Birch, Aspen and Alder, alongside shrubs such as Hawthorn and Hazel alongside some Oak trees. All of our tree stock is grown on contract for the city council and is UK and Irelands source and grown (UKISG). A Buffer zone of 5m is to be incorporated into the planting away from footpaths, properties and water courses. Planting of trees are to be a spaced at 2.5m. No tree guards are to be used.

For more information please see the Woodland Trust website:

Woodland Trust: Where do Our Trees Come From?

Cllr Carl Edwards, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment said: “Trees play a vital role in the city to provide habitat for biodiversity, help reduce flooding, stabilise land and offset carbon. They are also vital in allowing residents of Stoke-on-Trent to make the best use of outdoor spaces around the City. The city council is keen to restore habitat and foraging space for the wide variety of wildlife that is supported by tree cover. We also recognise the change in both national and local mood towards preserving woodland and space for nature, and that levels of concern about climate change are at an all-time high. This tree planting scheme is part of a strong tradition of green space provision and management which has evolved over many generations. The historical growth of the City from a series of distinct pottery towns is reflected in our present-day green spaces. The main parks, green corridors following the canal and railway network and the naturally recolonised brownfield land all bear testimony to the city’s varied industrial past. It is possible to ‘tell the story of the city through its green space’ and this legacy is something which we are continuing with these new tree planting schemes. This is a great story line for the city that other cities will be envious of.”

The consultation window was open from Monday September 6 to Thursday 30 September 2021 and is now closed. We have used the results of the consultation to shape decisions on the tree planting schemes.

Following consultation the below sites have now been approved for planting, we anticipate the works will be delivered in 2022.