Humber Forest, the community forest for Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, has helped plant more than 4,500 trees as part of National Tree Week.

Members of the Humber Forest team and The Plant A Tree Today (PATT) Foundation, together with volunteers from Shared Agenda, planted 198 trees on an area of land off Sewerby Road in Bridlington.

The wild cherry, birch and alder trees, funded by Humber Forest, will enhance the beauty of the coastal site, create a home for wildlife and mitigate climate change by storing carbon.

The trees have been protected with guards because of the exposed nature of the site and potential damage from rabbit grazing. Humber Forest will also provide maintenance for the next five years to make sure the trees succeed.

Elsewhere in the region, trees were planted at sites in Driffield and Skipsea.

Humber Forest is one of 15 community forests across England, and part of the larger Northern Forest that stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire coast. It is not a single ‘forest’, but the collection of many trees, woodlands and hedgerows across the whole region.

Councillor Paul West, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s portfolio holder for environment, said: “We hope the residents appreciate the addition to their fantastic open space and look forward to watching the trees grow and mature. ”

This year’s National Tree Week marks the 50th anniversary of the “Plant a Tree in 73” campaign. To pay tribute to its roots, The Tree Council has been encouraging people to Grow a Tree in 23 by participating in one of the many organised tree-planting events taking place all over the country.

The change in the wording – “grow” instead of “plant” – reflects the continued care trees need after planting to ensure they thrive.

Sara Lom, chief executive of The Tree Council, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating National Tree Week, which provides a fantastic opportunity for all of us to come together for the love of trees and to encourage everyone not only to plant a tree but also to care for it so it will grow to maturity.

“Trees and hedgerows help us tackle climate change, provide homes for wildlife, improve our health and so much more. We need to help them back and by getting involved, you’ll be part of growing a greener, tree-filled future for all of us.

“We’re so grateful to everyone across the UK for taking part in National Tree Week”

Humber Forest can fund large and small projects, providing up to 100 per cent of agreed costs of tree planting, hedgerow creation, tree protection and maintenance.

For more information or to get involved, visit www.humberforest.org  or email humber.forest@eastriding.gov.uk