Around 620 trees have been planted in unused ground in Petersfield Cemetery as part of our ongoing project to see 120,000 trees planted around the district.
The trees were planted in a corner of the cemetery where the earth is too wet to take graves.
The species chosen, a mix of maple, alder, larch, wild cherry, crab apple, oak and birch, will do well in the wet conditions and will, in time, create an attractive copse.
As part of our climate emergency declaration in 2019 we pledged to see 120,000 trees planted across East Hampshire – one for every resident in the district.
At this time around 56,000 trees have been pledged to be planted, through planning requirements, agreements with local landowners and community-run schemes.
The planting in Petersfield Cemetery represents the biggest planting on EHDC-owned land so far, with more to come soon.
Cllr Julie Butler, EHDC Deputy Leader, was on hand to plant the final tree on Tuesday. She said: “Our tree planting project is a great way to improve the local environment and increase local biodiversity.
“I am delighted we have been able to plant these trees at Petersfield Cemetery to join the thousands that have been planted all around the district by our partners.”
Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC's Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Prosperity said: "It's wonderful to have the chance to help plant these trees on our own land.
"This land can't really be used for anything else, so we're delighted to be able to find such a worthwhile purpose for it and provide all these new trees right in the middle of Petersfield."
The benefits of planting trees include:
Clean Air
The canopies of trees act as a physical filter, trapping dust and absorbing pollutants from the air. Each individual mature tree removes up to 1.7 of kilos of pollutants every year - Protecting our lungs.
Heat Sinks
It’s estimated that trees can reduce the temperature in a city by up to 7°C reducing some of the need for air conditioning.
Biodiversity
A mature oak can be home to as many as 500 different species.