Calls for major urban tree planting programme in Brighton & Hove

A charity is calling for a major urban tree planting programme in Brighton & Hove after research showed the city’s tree cover is a third lower than the average for England.

CPRE Sussex and Brighton & Hove City Council commissioned the research from experts Treeconomics to investigate the current state of tree cover in the city and explore opportunities for new planting.

It revealed the city’s tree cover is 10.5% – a third lower than the average for England of 16%. Without urgent action, this is likely to get worse as Brighton & Hove loses existing trees to elm disease and ash dieback.

Researchers also found huge divides in tree cover between the city’s wards. The most well-covered ward has nearly nine times as much tree coverage as the mostly poorly covered.

Many of the wards with the lowest cover are on the seafront, making them inappropriate for tree planting. However, North Portslade has the second lowest coverage and Woodingdean the fifth.

'We need a citywide partnership'

CPRE Sussex director Paul Steedman said: “This research highlights the need for a radical expansion in tree planting across the city and action to tackle tree inequity.

"We'd like to see the council lead a citywide partnership to rapidly accelerate the replacement of trees that are lost and the planting of new ones – and we're ready to be part of making this happen.

"We want to help as many people as possible access the health and environmental benefits trees bring.

"That is why we are working with the council and communities to help Plant Your Postcode and supporting the first Brighton & Hove Tree Festival in May.”

Target of 15% tree cover

The Treeconomics research resulted in two reports – a tree inventory and a tree planting opportunity mapping report.