Increasing the tree canopy cover in Sunderland

The whole of the Sunderland area now forms part of the North East Community Forest (NECF), which was formally launched in 2021. The NECF covers 1,503 square kilometres of North East England, including the entire geographical boundaries of Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland, plus, the main urban areas of County Durham.

This 30 year, multi-million pound project will see tens of thousands of trees planted across our area.  Our committed aim is to increase tree canopy cover across Sunderland from a current base of around 18% to reach 30% by 2050.  The North East Community Forest is supported by a partnership of local authorities, combined authorities, charities and organisations.

By working together, thousands of hectares of trees will be planted that will both improve our natural environment and create happier and healthier places for us all to live, work in and visit.

For more information about the NECF, visit  North East Community Forest | Northeast Community Forest

What we are doing in Sunderland

Within the first 2 years of the NECF project (2021-23), Sunderland Council has secured £474,000 of external funding and planted trees and hedges on 16 separate sites.  With this funding we have planted:

• 10,462 small trees (or 'whips')
• 487 large trees (or 'street' or 'public realm' trees)
• 279 orchard trees on 9 different sites
• 9,189 hedge plants (creating 1,760m of new hedgerow)
• 9.85 hectares of new wildflower meadow
• 14,000 bulbs.

Outside of this funding, the Council has also planted 27,400 tree and hedge plants as part of other developments including greenspace upgrades, school grounds and roadside verges. 

The Council has also been carrying out tree replacement works across the city, particularly along urban streets.  Linked to this, a rolling programme of tree plantation management works is also taking place.

Public Orchards

The Council is planting fruit trees and orchards in public locations so that local residents have free sources of produce available on their doorstep.  Locations for these are carefully selected and supported by local residents. 

The new orchard sites are as follows:

Hetton Park Orchard

In 2022, and in line with wider proposals to upgrade Hetton Park, an area of parkland near to the Houghton Road was wildflower seeded, together with 70 orchard trees planted.    

Silksworth Park Orchard

In 2022, An area to the rear of Silksworth Welfare Park was wildflower seeded, together with 20 orchard trees planted. This work was carried out in close consultation with the Friends of Silksworth Park group.

Princess Anne Park Orchard

In 2023, and following an initial request from local residents, an area to the north end of the Park was wildflower seeded, together with 75 orchard trees planted.  This work was financially supported by Washington Area Committee.

James Steel Park (Harraton Orchard)

In 2023, a small area to the rear of Harraton Community Association was wildflower seeded, together with 15 orchard trees planted.   

Barnes Park Orchard

In 2023, a small area (at the top of the steps to the south of the bandstand) was wildflower seeded, together with 14 orchard trees planted.

Herrington Welfare Park Orchard

In 2023, an area to the rear of the park was wildflower seeded, together with 30 orchard trees planted. 

Barley Mow Park orchard

In 2023, a total of 20 orchard trees were planted at various locations within Barley Mow Park, as part of a project that was funded by the Government's Levelling Up Parks fund.

Parkland Planting

The Council has accessed NECF funding to support parkland regeneration in the following areas:

Barnes Park

In addition to the 14 orchard trees, 51 large 'heavy standard' trees were planted across the formal park area. 

Herrington Welfare Park

In addition to the 30 orchard trees, a further 12 large 'heavy standard' trees were planted within the park, together with 805 hedge plants that form a 115m hedgerow along the park boundary with Langley Street.

Barley Mow Park

In addition to the 20 orchard trees, Barley Mow Park has had significant improvements undertaken in 2023.  At both park entrances, overgrown buses and diseased trees have been removed and replaced with new trees and planting, and overall, better sightlines have been created.  A new sensory garden has been planted, together with an area of fruit bushes.  On the 2 redundant bowling greens, community allotment gardens are being developed, together with an area of new tree planting.  Additional work has taken place to reinstate the 2 tennis courts, complete with fencing, surfacing, key-fob gate access and online hire arrangements.

[Herbs planted at Barley Mow Park]

Thompson Park

As part of more extensive works to renovate the Park in 2023, the NECF funded the planting of 100 large 'heavy standard' trees, together with 560 hedge plants that form an 80m hedgerow close to the formal play facilities.

Woodland Schemes

Where possible, the NECF is keen for larger areas of woodland to be created across the city, whether on public or private land.  To date, the NECF has supported 2 schemes, at Elemore Park and Downhill Sports Complex.

Elemore Park

Elemore Park is the site of a former municipal golf course which closed in 2019. It is being transformed into a country park and wildlife area, together with community-led facilities including a café and garden centre, which opened in 2023. It is located at Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, Sunderland, and close to the County Durham boundary. As part of the overall redevelopment, Trees for Climate funding has enabled more than 15,000 tree and shrub plants (whips) to be planted, providing wooded areas and greenspace across nearly seven hectares of land. Key features include:  

• 4.5 hectares of new woodland
• A 1.36km length of new hedgerow
• Wildflower seeding throughout the woodland area. 

Let's Talk Elemore - Sunderland City Council

[Trees and wildflowers taking shape at Elemore]

Downhill Sports Complex

In 2023, a 1-hectare area (near to the main site entrance) was planted with 2,000 small trees (whips).  A further 25 large 'heavy standard' trees were planted beside the road entrance. With the financial support of the local Area Committee and additional local support from the Downhill Pond Group, 5 butterfly wildlife 'scrapes' were also created, and edge planted with wildflower (bird's foot trefoil).

[Community planting at Downhill]

Street and Public Realm Trees

Street and public realm trees provide ideal opportunity to increase tree canopy cover in urban areas, particularly where tree cover is low.  Trees in these locations can especially help by providing shelter and cooling in hot weather periods, help to reduce pollution and flooding incidences, and overall they support environmental improvement which benefits the local economy and human health. 

Seaburn Recreational and War Memorial

Following a request from the Friends of Fulwell War Memorial, in 2023, 30 large 'heavy standard' trees were planted beside the War Memorial and boundary of Seaburn Recreational, together with 0.50 hectare of wildflower seeding and 2,000 bulbs. 

Teal Farm Street Trees

In conjunction with the Friends of Teal Farm, in 2023, 70 large 'heavy standard' cherry trees were planted along Pattinson Road, near to Teal Farm village centre, together with 6,000 bulbs.  This work was financially supported by Washington Area Committee. 

Doxford Park street trees

In 2023, 100 large 'heavy standard' trees were planted alongside Doxford Park Way, Silksworth Way and Hall Farm Road, together with the planting of 6,000 bulbs and areas of wildflower seeding.

Holmeside Street Trees and Rainwater Gardens

In 2023, and as part of wider streetworks, the NECF paid for 9 large 'heavy standard' trees to be planted on Holmeside in Sunderland City Centre.  Rainwater gardens have also been created along the roadside.

School Planting

Houghton Kepier school

In 2023, 25 orchard trees were planted to complement the school's existing orchard within the grounds of the school.  In addition, 20 large 'heavy standard' trees were planted along the school's northern boundary, together with the seeding of oxe-eye daisy and a further 25m of new hedgerow.

Sandhill View Academy

In 2023, 20 orchard trees were planted to complement the school's existing orchard area within the grounds of the school.  In addition, 50 large 'heavy standard' trees were planted beside their new 'forest classroom' area, as well as 812 willow plants that will form a new 160m-long willow hedge.

St Mary's RC Primary School

In 2023, 10 orchard trees were planted, together with 20 large 'heavy standard' trees, mostly within their 'forest classroom' area.  Along the school's western boundary, a 20m section of new hedgerow was also planted.