Council confirms commitment to trees

It takes into account the need for councils to balance a positive commitment to trees with legal obligations such as public safety, access and availability, grounds maintenance, public amenity and development and growth.

The Charter for Trees, Woods and People was created by the trust in 2017 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter of the Forest.

SKDC Cabinet member for Commercial and Operations, Cllr Dr Peter Moseley, said: “The Woodland Trust was keen to apply its Tree Charter to support positive action for trees by councils, whilst reflecting the requirements of local councils and has welcomed our input. I hope we will find that a lot of other councils will adopt this.”

SKDC is responsible for approximately 6,000 trees or tree groups on open spaces that it owns.

Cllr Dr Moseley said the council had declared a climate emergency, committed to reducing its carbon footprint by at least 30% by 2030 and aimed to be net-zero carbon as soon as possible before 2050.

 “Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen so have a vital role to play in achieving those goals,” he said.

The Woodland Trust worked with all sections of UK society and more than 70 partners to draw up ten principles for the Tree Charter, which together set out the important role that trees play in all our lives.

The trust’s programme lead for The Tree Charter, Sarah Shorley, said: “Trees play a vital role in our lives. They look good and they do good. They clean our air, storing carbon and producing oxygen.

“They provide shelter for livestock, protect our soils, filtrate our water, provide a bountiful harvest for wildlife and for people, add value to our streets and give us a place to relax and unwind.

“The Charter for Trees, Woods and People sets out the principles for a society in which people and trees can stand stronger together. Its ambition is to place trees and woods at the centre of national decision making, and back at the heart of our lives and communities.

“We’re pleased to be working with SKDC to apply the charter to local government and hope it will become embodied in everything the council does when it comes to trees.”