Save Norwich’s Street Trees

Green councillors are demanding an increase in Norfolk County Council’s budget allocation of £20,000 for planting highways trees in Norwich, after a sample survey showed a large loss of city trees along residential roads . If no action is taken, they fear the gradual loss of trees from the city’s streets and main roads.

Norfolk County Council took on responsibility for more than ten thousand highways trees in Norwich in April 2020 but has allocated just £20,000 for tree planting in 2022/23 . To date, over 800 people have signed a petition calling on both the county and city councils to find more resources for planting many more trees in the face of the climate and biodiversity emergencies .

Nelson ward Green Party County Councillor Paul Neale said:

“Our survey of street trees in Nelson ward found 60 gaps where trees need replacing, but the County’s budget will fund just 3 trees.  Norfolk County Council’s insignificant tree planting budget of £20,000 for Norwich will only buy about 40 standard trees for the whole city. Once you add in stump removal, pavement ground works and 3 years’ maintenance and watering the figure could drop to under 10 trees. We have worked with officers to secure some additional government match funding, but this will still not be sufficient to save our tree heritage in Norwich as trees are being lost at a faster rate than they are replaced.”

Although the city council has a higher rate of tree planting on council land in its ownership, at around 130 standard trees a year, Green councillors say that the council should at least double this number in the face of the climate and biodiversity emergencies .

Nelson ward Green Party City Councillor, Cllr Denise Carlo said:

“We are asking all residents who care about trees to sign the petition at bit.ly/norwichtrees. The county and city councils need an ambitious tree vision and programme for Norwich to match that of the renowned Parks Superintendent Captain Sandys Winsch who planted 20,000 trees in the 1920s and 30s in public parks and in avenues along streets and roads laid out for new communities.  His tree legacy will disappear unless both councils invest more money in trees.”