Households set to receive free trees

Derby City Council has announced that more than 100 households in the city will receive free trees as part of a flood defence project replanting programme.

More than 150 free trees are ready to be given out thanks to the Our City, Our River (OCOR) Garden Trees Scheme.

As well as the households, three schools will also receive a number of trees to provide shade, habitats for wildlife and improved ‘forest school’ areas.

So far, OCOR has planted 433 trees, more than replacing those that have already been removed to make way for new flood defences. The project is aiming to plant a further 1,422 over the coming years.

Councillor Carmel Swan, the city council’s cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: “I’m delighted to see such a positive response to the Garden Trees Scheme and I’m sure the recipients will enjoy the benefits of their new trees for years to come.

“While some trees have been removed already to make way for flood defences, citizens should be reassured that Derby stands to benefit from a larger, more widespread tree canopy once the OCOR project is complete.”