Liberty marks milestone of planting 500 trees in Salford for ForHousing

Property services business Liberty recently celebrated planting its 500th tree for social housing landlord ForHousing as part of its annual winter tree planting programme across Salford.

The initiative, aimed at enhancing the local environment and contributing to carbon reduction efforts, was begun in 2016 by ForHousing, with Liberty overseeing the planting.

50 trees have been planted each year by Liberty’s Arboricultural Officer, David Diaczuk, who is responsible for maintaining the trees and improving the environmental and wildlife benefits they bring across ForHousing’s neighbourhoods in Walkden, Eccles, Swinton, Irlam & Cadishead, concentrating on sheltered schemes as the trees have a better chance of establishment.

For the 2023 programme, ForHousing has ordered 50 established saplings with all the tree species carefully chosen by David Diaczuk to maximise their environmental impact. These species include Maple, Alder, Birch, Hornbeam, Pine, Oak, Willow, and Wild Plum, each contributing to the diversity and resilience of the local ecosystem.

Mark Lowe, Director of Sustainability at ForHousing said: “We’re really passionate at ForHousing about making a positive impact on the environment and playing our part to help tackle climate change, so it’s fantastic to see ForHousing planting its 500th tree in Salford.

“Planting trees is a really important action we can take to reduce our carbon footprint and help us meet net zero targets. We are dedicated to making our housing schemes greener and more sustainable and we hope to keep planting more trees to further our commitment to environmental improvement.

“This commitment also extends beyond Salford. We are collaborating with the ‘City of Trees’ charity and Oldham Borough Council on initiatives to promote green spaces and community well-being in Oldham.”

David Diaczuk, Arboricultural Officer at Liberty said: “It’s been a real pleasure to be part of ForHousing’s winter tree planting programme for the last eight years. Research has shown that increase in mature crown cover from trees increases property value. It reduces environmental heat in the summer and is a significant benefit to wildlife.

“Arguably, the most consequential subject in Arboriculture for the past 20 years has been the effect of Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus). The latest research shows that with no cure, the Ash trees in the UK and most of Europe will be on the edge of extermination in the next decade. Fitton Hill will lose 100% of its Ash trees due to this fungus. This is partly why strategic tree planting is essential, and that we plant trees for future generations to enjoy its benefits.”