2 December 2010: The Big Tree Plant launched on 2 December in National Tree Week, with a number of events taking place across the country despite the wintry weather.

The Tree Council ran an event in Walsall resulting in the planting of over 1,000 trees in a three-acre community orchard, with fruit from this site and others being used by local schools. Volunteers involved in the project included local primary school children who in previous weeks had received training from Tree Wardens to become Junior Tree Wardens; the Forest of Mercia community payback team; Friends of the Arboretum; Tree Wardens; and the local community.

• More on the Walsall event

TreeBristol ran three tree-planting events in Bristol in support of the campaign launch. At Badocks Wood Local Nature Reserve, 16 trees were planted as part of a larger scheme initiated by the Friends of Badocks Wood. Two schools took part, as well as a local councillor and a representative from the Friends group.

Planting took place at Mowbray Road Open Space as part of a larger scheme to improve the park by creating a new children’s playground. Seventeen trees were planted by volunteers from the local primary school and two local councillors.

Another 15 trees were planted at Peel Street and Riverside Park, by volunteers from Defra alongside children from the local primary school and local councillors.

• More on the Bristol events

Red Rose Forest and Trees for Cities ran three events over three days at Ladybarn Park in Manchester in support of the campaign launch. The activity involved the thinning of existing woodland and tree-planting with Manchester University students. At the end of the day each student planted a tree to mark The Big Tree Plant launch. This is the first of many events over the coming months to plant additional trees and woodlands as part of The Big Tree Plant.

John Leech, MP for Withington, attended one of the events. He joined volunteer students, residents and community groups to plant trees, prune branches and clear litter. He said,

“It’s great to get involved in such an important community event. Everyone here is passionate about making a difference and creating a better place to live. The Big Tree Plant is a great idea and will really help communities to come together and take responsibility for improving their neighbourhoods”.

• More about the Manchester event