SEVERAL County Councillors gathered to plant more trees in and around parts of a Flintshire town recently in a bid to improve existing verges and green spaces.

The Chair of Connah’s Quay Town Council, Cllr Ian Smith, was joined by his Vice Chair, Cllr Peter Davies, as well as by Councillors Ian Dunbar, Andy Dunbobbin and Paul Shotton to plant trees in three locations this week.

A variety of trees including lime, liquid amber, pin oak and turkish hazel, were planted by the group of councillors on Mold Road, Wharfdale Avenue, and Clivedon Road in Connah’s Quay.

The tree species were chosen specifically for the seasonal interest in them, as well as for their robustness which means they will require lower levels of maintenance.

Flintshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside, Councillor Carolyn Thomas, said: “It is great to continue our tree planting scheme in Connah’s Quay as part of our urban tree strategy.

“Trees are so important in tackling climate change, they absorb pollutants, give us oxygen, they are habitat to birds and insects, create canopy and shade and add a more natural environment to an urban area giving a sense of wellbeing.

“I have been devastated by the magnitude of ash dieback affecting thousands of trees in Flintshire which makes it more important that we are planting a variety of species of new trees in our county.”

Council ward member, Councillor Ian Dunbar, added: “We are pleased to see the instant impact these trees have had, we look forward to seeing them mature and enjoying all the benefits they will bring to our community.”

This tree planting is funded by a grant that was successfully obtained from Natural Resources Wales to increase urban tree canopy cover in some Flintshire towns, with a lower percentage of trees.

The tree planting is also a part of Flintshire County Council’s Urban Tree and Woodland Plan to increase the urban canopy cover in Flintshire from 14.5% to 18% by 2033.

The actual planting of the trees is a final stage after opinion polls, engagement events and conversations have taken place locally to agree sites and planting schemes.