Throughout November the 3,000 garden societies affiliated to the RHS will hold tree-planting events across the UK culminating in The RHS Dig Together Day, on 24 and 25 of this month. The aim is to promote the benefits of trees in our neighbourhoods.
Events range from large-scale projects such as the planting of 200,000 trees in Immingham, Lincolnshire, to smaller activities such as school children in Jersey planting three oak saplings to replace a felled tree.
RHS chief horticultural advisor Guy Barter said: "We can all help to keep our towns and cities green and healthy by planting trees. Ash dieback is probably going to be devastating but it is important to retain ash trees for as long as we can.
"We thoroughly recommend in areas that are unplanted, to plant a diversity of trees to ensure future-proof against the spread of diseases. Many thousands of native saplings, from hawthorn to field maple, have already been planted.
"But we’re now urging the British public to get involved. Trees are so important for biodiversity, flood prevention, energy saving and health and wellbeing, especially in cities where there is a shortage of tree cover in public places."
The Dig Together Day, an annual celebration of the work of the UK’s gardening clubs and societies, will this year coincide with National Tree Week, 24 November to 2 December, which is run by the Tree Council.
Tree Council director-general Pauline Buchanan Black said: "This year Dig Together Day and National Tree Week carry particular significance as we look for ways to minimise the impact of ash dieback and choose trees that are right for the places they are planted."
