Urban Tree Planting
Tuesday 23rd Apr 2024
Conwy County Borough Council has planted the first of hundreds of trees, as part of a project to green up urban areas.
The £600,000 project is funded by the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature Challenge Fund and will see 400 trees planted in Kinmel Bay, Towyn, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno, plus a new small woodland at Ffordd y Berllan park in Towyn. Trees will be planted as street avenues, copses, an orchard, and parkland specimens.
The first 51 trees – a selection of Hornbeam, Bardsey Apple, Black Pine, Rowan and Crab Apple – have been planted at Tyn y Coed on the Llwynon Road Estate in Llandudno.
Cllr Greg Robbins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation said: “These trees will provide greenery and shade, improve the air quality and bring emotional and mental health benefits for residents. At the same time, they will help urban wildlife, such as songbirds, bats and pollinators, by giving shelter, foraging and commuting opportunities.
We’ve selected a range of broadleaved and conifer species which are tolerant of our coastal environment and the warming climate.”
Areas for tree planting were identified as being urban wards with the lowest tree canopy cover, with specific locations suggested by County Councillors and Town Councils. The planting scheme will be completed in Autumn 2022.
The Council has also secured an extra £35,000 of Local Places for Nature funding to create a tree nursery, to grow native trees locally for future tree planting. The nursery will include a polytunnel for propagating saplings plus 250m2 growing space for 100 large trees.
