New trees for a greener Sandwell
Sandwell Council is marking the completion of the first stage of a series of tree planting projects. 1,000 trees
and 300 shrubs have been planted at Yew Tree and Painswick Close open spaces as part of the council’s commitment to making the borough a greener and more welcoming place. The site, which was chosen for planting following discussions with the local community, is funded by the Woodland Trust as part of its MoreWoods Project and by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
This is intended to be first of a series of tree planting projects across Sandwell and the wider region in a coordinated approach with the West Midland Combined Authority through the Virtual Forest initiative. Since 2020, almost 600,000 trees newly planted trees have been registered by residents, businesses and local authorities. Councillor Charn Singh Padda, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said: “This project shows how important it is for us as a council to ensure that Sandwell is a green and pleasant borough in which to live and to visit. I look forward to seeing more and more projects such as this throughout the borough.
” Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and WMCA, said: “Sometimes people may think of regeneration as being solely about projects such as large construction sites, but this kind of project is also vital to ensure that Sandwell in particular and the West Midlands more widely are places in which people want to do business.” Ben Green, Woodland Trust External Affairs Officer, added: "It's inspiring to see the first phase of these tree planting projects underway, with 100% UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown native trees.
These efforts, in co-ordination with the Woodland Trust and West Midlands Combined Authority, reflect our shared commitment to a more vibrant, sustainable community. By prioritising locally-sourced trees, we're not only enhancing our landscapes but also safeguarding against harmful pest and disease importation. Together, we're shaping a greener, healthier future for all."