New data reveals 16,000 trees planted in Exeter

Published: 30 November 2021

More than 16,000 trees have been planted in Exeter by the City Council over the last 21 years, new data has revealed.

The figures –released during National Tree Week (27 November to 3 December) – reveal that the City Council plant, on average, more than 700 trees every year.

The Council last week announced a further 130 trees would be planted throughout the city over the coming weeks, keeping the city green and helping Exeter achieve its ambitions of being net zero by 2030.

The latest set of trees have been carefully chosen with species and location in mind, helping maintain and improve on Exeter’s tree canopy.

Exeter has a proud reputation for its parks and green spaces, with footpaths and trails for residents and visitors to enjoy. Planting trees in cities not only helps the environment but also brings social and economic benefits as well as improving mental health and wellbeing.

In December the Council will be receiving a number of smaller trees (whips) to be planted as re-stocking in woodland areas where trees have been lost to ash dieback disease.

Next year, the City Council will plant a community orchard at Library Fields in Pinhoe. The trees are being kindly donated by Devon Wildlife Trust’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes initiative and will form part of the ‘Queen’s Green Canopy’, celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.