MORE than 21,000 new trees have been planted on Wirral over the last year, exceeding the target for 2021/22.

The council has an ambitious target to plant 21,000 trees every year until 2030 to help increase tree coverage across the borough.

The involvement of more than 500 volunteers and 15 schools meant 21,527 trees were planted between January 2021 and March 22.

A council spokesperson said: "A total of 7.2 hectares of new woodland has been planted including some special sites such as a COVID-19 memorial planting, a foster carer woodland, and more than 8,000 trees dedicated to the Queen's Green Canopy.

"The hard work isn’t over yet though, these sites will need to be looked after and maintained so the newly planted trees can thrive.

"Action days will be held to do this and the council is looking for volunteers to help and become a Wirral Tree Guardian."

To take part in any of the action days, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tree-guardian-action-day-wirral-tickets-334635482737 fbclid=IwAR0ya82BGJ6VZvW95sWrH2BKRy02i7M7FiAC8-f6ySQlmR1KtuidvzDALUM and sign up.

The next action days will take place on:

  • Wednesday, May 18: Boundary Road Greenspace, off Boundary Road, Bidston
  • Thursday, May 19: Flynn’s Piece, off Grove Road, Wallasey
  • Friday, May 20: Bentham Close Greenspace, off Noctorum Way, Prenton
  • Tuesday, May 24: Carr Bridge Road Greenspace, off Carr Bridge Road, Upton
  • Monday, May 30: Ballantyne Drive Greenspace, off Ballantyne Drive, Bidston

To find out more about tree planting in Wirral, visit www.wirral.gov.uk/wirraltrees