A TREE-PLANTING scheme is continuing in the new year after a city council made an ambitious pledge.

Chelmsford City Council has pledged to plant a tree for every resident in Chelmsford over the next ten years.

This winter, volunteers and council staff have made a great start by planting more than 5,000 trees so far in a bid to boost the city’s green canopy.

Workers from Essex and Suffolk Water joined parks volunteers at Creekview and Compass Gardens in South Woodham Ferrers, planting 1,000 trees in December.

County councillor Jude Deakin said: “Ask anyone you meet, and they will tell you that being amongst trees makes them feel calmer, happier and connected with the world.

“However, they are important for more than that – they are essential for our survival and the survival of every creature on our planet.

“By running volunteer sessions as well as planting trees with our own staff, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of trees and give Chelmsford residents a chance to get hands-on with nature.

Parks volunteer leader Elgan Adlard has been running the sessions and teaching people how to plant trees to give them the best chance of survival.

He said: “I have been leading volunteer sessions for Chelmsford City Parks for five years.

“Turnout has always been good – people love having a chance to get outdoors and immerse themselves in natural surroundings.

“But in the last year, with climate change gaining such a high profile in the news, we’ve really seen a huge increase in interest, which I think is brilliant.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the landscape of Chelmsford change over the coming years as hundreds of thousands of trees grow.

“We’re proud to be creating beautiful new woodlands for humans and wildlife to enjoy.”

There are still 143,000 trees to be planted over the next decade.

The next big community planting days is on February 2 in Creekview Road, South Woodham Ferrers.

Sessions will run from 10am-1pm.

For details, email lyc@chelmsford.gov.uk.