Wirral is recognised as 'a tree city of the world'

The recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is given to cities and areas around the world that are demonstrating leadership in managing their urban trees and helping to address many of the common environmental issues that face communities everywhere.

It is the first year Wirral has made the list having planted more than 21,000 trees over the course of 2023 – the third highest number of any place in England that was honoured this year.

To earn Tree Cities of the World recognition, Wirral also had to meet the programme’s five core standards; establish responsibility for the care of trees, set rules to govern the management of forests and trees, maintain an updated inventory or assessment of local tree resources, allocate resources for a tree management plan, and hold an annual celebration of trees to educate residents.

Councillor Liz Grey, chair of Wirral Council's environment, climate emergency and transport committee, said: "We are proud to be on the Tree Cities of the World map, which is an acknowledgement of our commitment to growing, nurturing and effectively managing our urban trees.

Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, said: "Trees are important to people, no matter what country they are from or what language they speak.

"We all want to live in a city that is healthy, resilient, and beautiful – trees serve as a common language to make that possible.

"Being recognised in the Tree Cities of the World programme means that your home area is committing to go above and beyond to define trees as critical green infrastructure for your residents".