Hartlepool residents and primary school pupils helped plant hundreds of trees in a bid to tackle the town’s low tree canopy cover.

Dozens of Hartlepool residents helped plant more than 200 trees at the Phoenix Centre, in Hindpool Close, to help tackle the town's low tree canopy cover.

Members of the public, primary school children, students, volunteers, project partners and funders came together for a celebratory tree planting day to mark the first planting season of the Tree Equity for Hartlepool project, led by environmental charity Trees for Cities.

Four awards were presented on the day to Elwick Grange Care Home, Clavering Primary School, welding apprentices at Hartlepool College of Further Education and Play Out Hartlepool.

Dozens of Hartlepool residents helped plant over 200 trees at the Phoenix Centre, in Hindpool Close, Hartlepool, on Friday, March 6, to help tackle the town's low tree canopy cover. Photo credit Chris J Parker.

placeholder image — Dozens of Hartlepool residents helped plant over 200 trees at the Phoenix Centre, in Hindpool Close, Hartlepool, on Friday, March 6, to help tackle the town's low tree canopy cover. Photo credit Chris J Parker.

Councillor Karen Oliver, chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s housing, growth and communities committee, said: “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.”

According to Trees for Cities, Hartlepool has one of the lowest tree equity scores in England and the lowest score in the North East.

Members of the public, primary school children, students, volunteers, project partners and funders came together on Friday, March 6, for a celebratory planting day marking the first planting season of the Tree Equity for Hartlepool project. Photo credit Chris J Parker.

Kate Sheldon, chief executive at Trees for Cities, said: “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.”

She continued: “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.”

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.

It is delivered in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council, The Woodland Trust, Thirteen, Treeconomics and Tees Community Forest.