MORE than 16,500 trees are due to be planted in Devon this winter through the Emergency Tree Fund initiative.

Devon County Council has made the announcement as part of National Tree Week (November 26 to December 4) which kicks off the winter tree-planting season.

Devon has been offering free packs of trees to landowners and communities within Devon for a second year thanks to the Emergency Tree Fund granted by The Woodland Trust.

The initiative is enabling private landowners, as well as town and parish councils, to plant trees as part of the response to tackle the Climate Emergency and achieve carbon net zero targets.

A total of 150 free packs, each containing 45 native broadleaved whips, have been delivered to landowners in Devon who successfully applied through the scheme. It means 6,750 trees through the Free Tree Scheme will be planted as part of this year’s National Tree Week.

Devon County Council is also ensuring that a further 9,820 trees are planted this season, with the majority of these trees being located on the County Farms Estate.

► To find out more about the Emergency Tree Fund please visit, https://www.devon.gov.uk/environment/landscape/trees-and-woodland/emergency-tree-fund

►Help is also available on the Devon Local Nature Partnership website at https://www.devonlnp.org.uk/knowledge-hub/trees-and-hedges/