Local residents came together on Friday 6 March to plant new trees in Hartlepool, a town with one of the lowest levels of tree canopy cover in England.
Dozens of volunteers rolled up their sleeves to plant more than 200 trees at the Phoenix Centre site on the Central Estate, helping to improve green space and support a healthier, greener future for the community.
Community members, primary school children, students, volunteers, project partners and funders came together for a celebratory planting day marking the first planting season of the ambitious Tree Equity for Hartlepool project, led by environmental charity Trees for Cities. Local residents gripped spades and embraced the mud and rain to plant new trees that will help transform some of the town’s lowest canopy neighbourhoods into thriving green spaces.
Five awards were presented during the day, recognising those driving invaluable change within the community. The Hidden Roots Award was presented to residents of Elwick Grange Care Home for sharing their personal stories of Hartlepool’s natural heritage. Pupils from Clavering Primary School received the School of the Season Award for their enthusiasm and hands-on commitment to planting. Welding apprentices at Hartlepool College of Further Education were named Young Tree Champions for creating a bespoke welded tree sculpture, and several local residents were recognised for their outstanding volunteer hours supporting community planting days. Community group Play Out Hartlepool received the Project Advocate award for championing the Tree Equity for Hartlepool Project since its inception.
The event also marked the milestone of Trees for Cities planting two million trees since 1993, with further celebrations planned for later in March.
Hartlepool currently has one of the lowest Tree Equity Scores of any local authority area in England, and the lowest score in the North East, with canopy cover as low as 2% in some neighbourhoods – far below the recommended minimum 15% canopy cover for coastal towns. This lack of tree cover means many residents are left without the transformative climate, health, and wellbeing benefits that trees provide — an environmental injustice known as tree inequity.
The Tree Equity for Hartlepool project is a UK-first in using a town wide approach with the Tree Equity Score UK tool to plant trees where they can make the biggest difference. By increasing canopy cover in the places that need it most, the project will help reduce urban heat, mitigate flooding and create calmer, green-filled spaces that improve both physical and mental health outcomes. To date, the project has connected more than 1,300 local residents with nature through planting days, workshops and community activities, already exceeding its mid-point engagement targets. Over 2,500 trees have already been planted across 5.92 hectares with further planting plans in place for the 26/27 season as Hartlepool prepares to achieve recognition through the Tree Cities of the World scheme.
Launched in March 2025, the project is led by Trees for Cities and part-funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Linbury Trust, and is delivered in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council, The Woodland Trust, Thirteen, Treeconomics, and Tees Community Forest, with tree planting supported through Defra’s Trees for Climate Fund.
“Today is a celebration of Hartlepool. In a town where tree cover is among the lowest in the country, local residents are leading the charge to plant a green, leafy legacy for generations to come.
The trees planted today represent frontline climate action. Once established, they will help to clean and cool the air, support wildlife and create greener, calmer places where the community can thrive.
When we talk about tree equity, we’re talking about equal access to trees, nature and green space, ensuring every child, family and neighbourhood can benefit from the transformative power of trees. Hartlepool is showing what’s possible when a community comes together to shape its own greener, healthier future.”
Kate Sheldon, CEO at Trees for Cities
“Trees bring such delight and wonder; they are rich and vibrant communities in themselves and now, through the Tress for Cities programme, even more trees will be adding value to local people in Hartlepool. From volunteer-led planting, to activities for children, to cleaner air…. this work will grow, quite literally, the joy of trees into our everyday lives.”
Stuart Hobley, Director for The Linbury Trust
“This amazing, inspiring project just keeps growing, with over 2,500 new trees already planted in Hartlepool. The massive benefits trees bring are well-proven, including reducing pollution, providing havens for wildlife and creating calm, leafy places where people can relax and boost their mental health.
It’s wonderful to see residents of all ages coming together and taking a personal stake in developing these green spaces for future generations and helping to care for and protect the young trees while they become established.
We’re delighted to be working with Trees for Cities on this project and congratulate them on their celebrating their outstanding achievement of planting two million trees around the country.”
Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Housing, Growth and Communities Committee
“Tees Community Forest is proud to support the Tree Equity for Hartlepool project through DEFRA’s Trees for Climate grant.
Access to quality green space remains shockingly low across Teesside, particularly in Hartlepool. The work led by Trees for Cities and its partners is addressing this by increasing tree cover where it is needed most, so that all communities can benefit from a greener and healthier local environment.
It is particularly heartening to see the enthusiasm shown by local residents, schools and community groups in being part of this work. This marks an exciting first step, with many more projects planned in the years ahead.”
Matt Snelling, Director of Trees Community Forest
“We’re proud to be working alongside partners on this initiative. Supporting the Tree Equity for Hartlepool project is an important step towards improving biodiversity across the town and helping residents feel more connected to their natural surroundings. By increasing tree cover, we can create healthier, greener neighbourhoods that support the wellbeing of the whole community.”
John Woods, Environmental Specialist at Thirteen
“Everyone deserves access to the benefits trees provide. By using the latest urban forest science and mapping systems to support the Tree Equity for Hartlepool project we can help ensure that new planting makes a real difference to local residents’ everyday lives.”
Kenton Rogers, Director of Treeconomics
“Since the Woodland Trust launched the UK Tree Equity Score in 2023, in partnership with American Forests and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, we have worked to highlight the unequal access to trees and green spaces that too many people experience in our towns and cities.
Tree Equity for Hartlepool, delivered in partnership with Trees for Cities, is about turning that evidence into action. Hartlepool has one of the lowest composite tree equity scores in the country and what this project demonstrates is the real difference that can be made when local authorities, community organisations and residents work together with a shared purpose.
Trees for Cities has done vital work engaging local communities, and Hartlepool Council has shown genuine commitment to improving the town’s green spaces. The trees planted today are a lasting investment that will provide real social, environmental and health benefits for Hartlepool’s residents for generations to come.”
William Ward, External Affairs Officer at The Woodland Trust
