Tree planting begins as part of action plan

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) has started to plant 6,000 new trees across the borough by 2035.

The council said that since 7 January, it had planted 2,600 trees at various sites, including Ewell Court Park, the Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve and London Road recreation ground.

The trees are being planted as part of the council's climate change action plan and the first stage of its tree management plan.

Liz Frost, chair of the environment committee, said: "We hope these trees will provide a platform for everybody to learn about the complexities of trees and their importance to biodiversity and climate change."

The planting will help mitigate ash dieback, a serious disease that has the potential to devastate an estimated 90% of the borough's ash tree population over the next decade, EEBC says.

The council added it wanted to be at net zero by 2035.

The project has been funded through the Forestry Commission's local authority treescapes fund, awarded as part of a joint bid with Surrey County Council and three other district and borough councils within the county.

Ms Frost added: "This is another great step to help us meet our ambitious carbon neutral target.

"The trees will provide habitats for our wildlife to flourish and help combat climate change by capturing carbon as the trees grow."

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