Two new micro-woods are set to be created in York, with one of them close to a popular city pub.
The small woodland areas are part of City of York Council’s commitment to plant 4,000 new trees over the next five years.
That would increase York’s tree canopy cover from 10.8% in 2021 to 13% by 2050, and “enhance biodiversity, support nature recovery and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” a council report says.
Finding suitable sites in urban York has been a challenge. But now two locations are being recommended:
- Land to the south-west of Village Street, Rawcliffe. This is in an area deemed to be a high priority for new tree planting according to the Woodland Trust. Three different locations have been put forward, with the final site to be chosen after feedback from residents
- Land to the north of The Fox Inn, Holgate. The trees would be planted on a former industrial brownfield site. It is highly visible from Holgate Road and the adjacent cycle and pedestrian pathways.
More than 50 sites were put forward after the council asked for suggestions.
These two recommended sites were chosen because they are deemed to be “highly suitable due to being free of constraints, in highly visible locations and in areas deemed to be high priority for new tree planting”.
“The woods will be planted using the Miyawaki method, entailing high density planting of native mixed broadleaf species,” a council report states. “The method delivers fast-growing woods rich in biodiversity.”
A grant of about £39,000 from the Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CLHF), set up to mark the coronation of King Charles III, would pay for the micro woods.
They would be planted between October and March. Delivery would be managed by the council’s York Green Streets (YGS) project team.
The recommendations will be considered by council leader Claire Douglas at a decision session on Wednesday, 18 September.