Citizen magazine Summer 2024 - text version - Creating an urban forest for Norwich

Creating an urban forest for Norwich 

As well as being a beautiful addition to our surroundings, trees are a vital part of enhancing and protecting the natural environment. There are various initiatives underway to grow an urban forest around Norwich.

Miyawaki Forests

The fantastic team and volunteers from Norwich Fringe Project have planted two innovative mini Miyawaki Forests in Heartsease, created by planting 1200 trees of 15 different species closely together. This technique makes them grow quicker, stronger, and thicker while also providing a perfect habitat for wildlife and increasing biodiversity.

Biodiversity corridors through the city

Look out for more than 300 new trees in parks, open spaces and housing estates – locations include Cadge Road, Greenfield Park and Eaton Gardens. They are being planted by Norwich City Council as part of efforts to enhance the city’s biodiversity. The successful bids for funding were led by Norfolk County Council and will contribute towards the One Million Trees for Norfolk project.

Tree giveaways

Hundreds of trees have been given away to Norwich residents as part of the ambitious 7000+ Biodiversity Arts Project, managed by local charity, The Greenhouse Trust and funded by the city council.

The project aims to plant at least 7000 new trees in Norwich by 2030. 

There was a huge response to the first promotional events that took place earlier this year, which also provided members of the public with information about planting and how to record the location of the tree. Look out for details of further tree distribution days which will be announced in the autumn.

Councillor Adam Giles, cabinet member for a fairer Norwich, said: “Trees are key to supporting biodiversity, increasing our resilience to the effects of a changing climate, improving air quality, and boosting wellbeing. We’re lucky to have access to lots of green spaces in the city where the council carefully manages our tree stock, from our housing estates and parks to larger woodlands like Mousehold Heath.

“The council is planting so many trees and recognising that while trees are key to tackling climate change, they are also susceptible to its impacts. That’s why we are adapting how and where we plant trees so they thrive and can benefit the city for decades to come.”

You can read more about the council’s Biodiversity Strategy at www.norwich.gov.uk/biodiversity