More than 500 students help plant trees in Redbridge

Fruit trees were planted at two schools in Redbridge (Credit: Redbridge Council)

School children in Redbridge have teamed up with the local council to mark National Tree Week.

More than 500 students helped plant 45 trees at Coppice Primary School, in Hainault, and Woodbridge High School, in Woodford Green. 

The initiative is aimed at giving children hands-on experience in planting and caring for trees while teaching them about the importance of greenery. 

Pupils were told about the environmental and health benefits trees bring, including helping clean up the air we breathe, providing shade and creating natural habitats for wildlife.

“I learnt how important trees are to the earth and humans,” said Elif from Woodbridge High School. “I had a fun, eventful and educational day and I am proud to know that the tree we planted will be there for many years.”

Fellow Woodbridge pupil, Iva, added: “I loved planting the trees. The best thing was learning more about the importance of trees in tackling the climate crisis”

The event has also helped increase tree coverage in the borough which is part of the councils plan to tackle climate change. 

Head of Coppice Primary School, Michael Fernandez, said: “It has been an amazing experience for our entire school as children from nursery all the way through to year 6 have had the chance to be part of planting our new orchard.

“We feel very fortunate that our existing nature garden has now been extended to include apple, pear and plum trees.”

The tree planting sessions at the two schools will also be registered under the Queen’s Green Canopy project, which is inviting everyone across the UK to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 by planting a tree.

National Tree Week runs from Saturday, 27 November until Sunday, 5 December. 

If you would like to take part there is a planting day taking place at Hainault Forest on Saturday, 4 December from 10am until 2pm. 

The event is part of the Woodland Trust’s expansion of the forest with a new extension that will see 24,000 trees being planted in the eastern reaches of the forest.

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