How can urban tree planting support regeneration?

Community tree planting at Caia Park
Photo © Mike Whitley

Summary

Trees and woodlands in urban and peri-urban areas can make a positive contribution to social conditions and the environment. TreeGeneration provided a pilot to determine the potential for a national urban forestry initiative as part of the Welsh regeneration policy. Forest Research explored how TreeGeneration met the strategic aims of Forestry Commission Wales and Welsh government policy. The team also examined the delivery and partnership processes, outputs and outcomes, with a review of internal structures, processes and funding mechanisms.

Key findings

• Strength in partnership – the partnership structure helped to embed the work into two local authorities as well as Forestry Commission Wales
• Applicants felt that the diverse range of support – financial, expertise and operational – was appropriate and valuable
• Promotional activities revealed existing, negative attitudes towards trees and woodlands in urban areas – the business community expressed a fear that tree cover would exacerbate existing crime and antisocial behaviour

Publications

• Report – TreeGeneration: A review of the urban forestry pilot project for North East Wales

Further information

• Street trees in the built environment

Funders and partners

TreeGeneration was funded and supported by:

• Forestry Commission Wales
• Countryside Council for Wales
• Wrexham County Borough Council
• Flintshire County Council

Status

Ended: 2008

Contact

Anna Lawrence