Living Woods to hold tree planting day in North Tyneside

Living Woods, based in Hexham, is hosting a tree-planting event in Wideopen, North Tyneside, on Friday, November 29, to mark the start of the tree-planting season and National Tree Week.

The event, which is being held in partnership with North Tyneside Council, will see volunteers help plant 200 small native trees, as well as a larger ceremonial tree.

Living Woods director, Mark Shipperlee, said: "This is an opportunity to come along and make a difference to your local environment."

The event is the first of the planting season for the North East Community Forest (NECF), and there are only 20 places available, so volunteers are asked to book early, for free, through Eventbrite.

The action will start at 10am, and trees, tools, and training will be provided.

Volunteers are advised to wear warm clothes and sturdy footwear, and to bring work gloves if possible, as well as a packed lunch and any refreshments they may need.

There are only 20 places for this first event of the planting season for NECF, so volunteers are asked to book early through Eventbrite (Image: Supplied)

The North East Community Forest covers 1,503 square kilometres across Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, and urban County Durham.

Since the project began, more than 100,000 trees have been planted as both open woodland and hedgerows.

Mr Shipperlee said: "Increased tree coverage will improve our natural heritage and create happier and healthier places for us all to live in, work in, and visit."

For those who can't make the event on November 29, there is another opportunity to take part in a community tree planting day in Gilsland, West Northumberland, on Sunday, December 1.

The Living Woods team will be planting a variety of native trees, including willow, alder, hawthorn, aspen, and birch.

The planting area is less than half a mile walk through farmland, up onto moorland, where the trees will be planted along a series of gullies.

For any specific enquiries, contact volunteering@living-woods.org.uk