National tree planting celebration marked at Middlesbrough extra care scheme [Archived]

Colleagues and residents have planted silver birch trees at Pennyman House in North Ormesby, to mark National Tree Week, which runs from 26 November until 4 December.

While the event marks the start of the winter tree planting season, Thirteen is working on many projects to improve the environment and benefit local communities and has already planted hundreds of trees.

Thirteen’s environmental specialist John Woods said: “Gardens are social spaces which bring people together.

“When the residents said they’d love some trees in their communal garden close by to where they enjoy sitting, we thought National Tree Week would be a great chance for everyone to help to plant the trees and learn more about the environment.

“Green spaces are so important when it comes to climate change. They absorb a lot of water, so they protect against flooding, and they provide shade, so they cool the earth down.

“A silver birch tree provides habitat and food for more than 300 insect species, so not only are trees the most effective natural way of helping to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, but by planting trees we’re increasing biodiversity in the green areas we manage, supporting and protecting the natural habitats of birds, bees and insects.”

The project is one of a range of initiatives underway at Thirteen to improve the outdoor environment for residents.