20,000 trees to be planted across Leicestershire this winter after huge cash donation

Native species such as Oak, Wild Cherry, Silver Birch and Hawthorn, will be planted between next month and February.

Plans to plant 700,000 trees across Leicestershire – one for each resident - have received a boost from the Forestry Commission as they have handed over £216,000 from their Treescape fund.

Half of the money will be used to buy and plant the trees with the rest will go on the care of the saplings for the first few years after planting.

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Trees support wildlife and play a major part in helping to combat climate change, as well as adding beauty to our surroundings. We’ve been delighted with the support our scheme has received from parish and district councils, as well as local residents and we are looking forward to seeing Leicestershire become greener as the project continues."

The trees are planted as ‘whips’, which means they are around two years old and between 40 to 60cm tall and will need close attention for the first three years while they become established.

The tree planting drive is all part of the county council's pledge to become a carbon-neutral county by 2045.