Maidstone marks Queens Green Canopy with 70 new trees in seven locations

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has finished planting 490 trees across the borough as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. As part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative MBC has planted 70 trees in seven locations across the borough. Trees were planted at Whatman Park, Allington Recreation Ground, Giddyhorn Recreation ground and in two areas in both South Park and Shepway Green. The first trees were planted in Whatman Park by Maidstone Mayor, Cllr Derek Mortimer, along with other MBC councillors.

Leader of MBC, Cllr David Burton said:

It is an honour to be part of this unique tree planting initiative which will leave a fantastic legacy to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Increasing tree cover is an important part of our strategy for protecting biodiversity, and mitigating the climate emergency. The planting is fully supported by the council's climate action plan.

The Queen’s Green Canopy invited people from across the United Kingdom to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ and is proud to be creating a living legacy with over a million trees planted in Her Majesty’s name across the nation.

Throughout January, MBC worked with local community groups and schools to help plant the new trees in the various locations across Maidstone. We would like to say a huge thank you to Allington Primary School, Allington Alligators, Oaks Primary Academy, Archbishop Courtenay Church of England Primary School and Maidstone and Malling Alternative Provision for all their help with tree planting!

Trees have been planted in a similar style to the Miyawaki method, an effective tree planting technique in which seedlings are planted at very high densities. This replicates the regeneration process that occurs in a natural forest when a clearing in the canopy opens up. The saplings grow very fast to compete for the light and then natural selection will favour the fastest growing individuals and act to thin out the trees. The result is a densely-packed pioneer forest that grows in 20 to 30 years instead of taking 150 to 200 years, maximising the carbon potential.

Tree planting is fully supporting MBC's Climate Action Plan and increasing tree cover is an important part of the Council’s strategy for protecting biodiversity, and mitigating the climate emergency.