Plant trees during RHS Dig Together Day
23 November 2012
To boost the UK tree population and safeguard against the spread of disease, the RHS is calling on the public to plant a diverse range of trees in their local area for RHS Dig Together Day (24–25 November).
Throughout November garden societies affiliated with the RHS have been holding tree-planting events across the UK to promote the environmental benefits of trees in communities. Events range from planting 200,000 trees in Lincolnshire to three oak saplings by a school in Jersey.
Guy Barter, RHS Chief Horticultural Advisor, says: 'We can all help to keep our towns and cities green and healthy by planting trees. We thoroughly recommend to plant a diverse range 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 by our affiliated gardening societies this month, 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.'
RHS Dig Together Day is an annual celebration of the work by gardening clubs and societies. This year it will coincide with National Tree Week (24 November – 2 December), an annual festival organised by The Tree Council to mark the launch of the winter tree-planting season.
Pauline Buchanan Black, Director-General of The Tree Council and Chair of Defra’s Big Tree Plant Partnership Board, says: 'Anyone with land of their own, whether a garden, woodland or field can make a difference to their view by adding a tree. This year, though, RHS 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 where they are planted. Not since Dutch elm disease has there been the same urgency to safeguard the view for future generations.'
RHS research shows that by planting trees in urban areas the surrounding air is cooled, combating dangerous temperatures caused by the urban-heat island affect. Trees also intercept intense rain, slowing runoff and reducing the pressure on urban drains. They increase our health and overall wellbeing aswell as being a haven for wildlife that is vital for biodiversity.