Tree planting scheme for Cambridge babies continues to branch out

Published: 08:53, 16 February 2017

22/11/05 Cambridge Mayor coun John Hipkin and his wife Marie Louise with their daughter Imogen plant a tree in their garden at Oxford Road Cambridge all parent in Cambridge will be given a tree. Picture By Roger Adams

Scheme aims to increase the number of trees in the city.

Cambridge Mayor coun John Hipkin and his wife Marie Louise with their daughter Imogen in 2016, 11 years after planting.

Cambridge City Council’s trees for babies scheme has seen a significant increase in the number of people taking the opportunity to receive a free tree to commemorate the birth of their baby, for the second year in a row.

The idea behind the scheme is to promote tree planting in Cambridge and to raise awareness of the benefits that trees bring.

Anyone living within the city boundary who has recently become a parent, including an adoptive parent, is eligible to apply for a tree.

The tree must be planted in Cambridge and ideally room should be found in the family garden, but if that is not possible parents can arrange for a friend, relative, nursery, playgroup, school or employer to find a place for the tree.

Parents can choose which tree they want from a range including medlar, pear, silver birch, and walnut. These have been selected for their seasonal interest, attractive features and suitability for gardens of different types.

Cllr Marie-Louise Holland, Deputy Mayor of Cambridge, took part in the scheme when her daughter, Imogen, was born in March 2005.

She said: “At that time I was delighted to learn that the council would give me a tree to commemorate Imogen’s birth to plant in our small garden.

“All I had to do was choose the species and wait until November for its delivery. Eleven years later we are lucky enough to be living in the same home, my daughter has started senior school and the winter-flowering cherry tree continues to flourish.

“Each year I look forward to seeing the delicate pinkish white blossom appear to brighten up a bleak winter’s day.”

The council aims to deliver the tree between November and February, which is the best time of year to plant. To do this trees are ordered in September, so any applications received after 31 August will be kept until the following September.

There are approximately 240,000 trees in Cambridge, growing in a wide variety of locations including woods, parks, school grounds, hospitals, cemeteries, industrial and commercial areas and streets.

Information on the council’s trees for babies scheme and its tree strategy can be found online.

Cambridge Ben Comber