It’s as if humans were simply meant to live in harmony with trees.They enhance our lives in so many positive ways, and are a key factor in protecting the environment in which we live.

On average, every tree we plant will absorb a little over 20kg of carbon dioxide each year from the air around it.Therefore, if we can plant 200,000 trees we will remove 4,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide from the environment per annum or 160,000 tonnes of carbon across the 40-year life of the trees.

In exchange, we’ll get about 115,000 tonnes of oxygen.That’s room to breathe for our whole community.

We are working with local wildlife organisations to ensure that our newly forested areas create the ideal habitats for wildlife and to improve biodiversity, taking care not to damage areas of significant ecological importance.In fact, even if we did nothing at all, forestation will greatly increase biodiversity by providing, quite literally, a breeding ground teeming with flora and fauna.

We want to involve schools and volunteers in making our dream a reality.If people are part of creating new facilities in their communities, then those communities will take ownership, and the forests will be better cared for.We will have science projects for school, and nurseries where children and adults together will culture saplings.

There will be tree planting ‘camps’, and as the forests grow so many volunteering opportunities.People will be able to adopt and care for areas of forest, there will be the chance to become heritage and nature guides for those so minded, and the chance for young people to learn about environmental advocacy and activism.

Forests, and the amenities contained in them, make a great contribution to wellbeing.Close proximity to a forest has been shown to have a positive effect on people with mental health issues.The calmness and serenity of wooded areas can help those who, for example, suffer from high blood pressure.

Crime and anti-social behaviour generally falls when forests are planted.This relates not just to the fact that young people, in particular, can find constructive things to do, but also to the psychological benefits associated with being able to go to a forested area.

People and trees go well together.

We want our cities to be beautiful, healthy places.One of the best ways to achieve this is to plant trees.Imagine Hull with a series of ribbon-ways through it, forested, calm, relaxing, and beautiful.Imagine communities enhanced by forested copses; areas of peace, quiet and beauty in the city, enhanced by trees, carpeted vegetation and increased wildlife.