Environment secretary plants tree at Forest Gate school
Environment secretary Elizabeth Truss plants a tree at Elmhurst Primary School - Credit: Natasha Moor
Green-fingered pupils from a Forest Gate school have joined environment secretary Elizabeth Truss in launching a nationwide tree planting programme.
She visited Elmhurst Primary School to announce the scheme, which will see 7,000 primary schools receive native trees including cherry, silver birch and hawthorn.
It will give children the chance to learn more about nature in a practical way and play a role in making their school grounds greener.
Ms Truss helped youngsters from the Upton Park Road school plant a wild cherry tree to launch the scheme, which is being run in conjunction with the Woodland Trust.
She said: “It’s vital that young schoolchildren feel a part of this natural history and connected to the environment.
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“This is a great opportunity to get them involved and I want to see as many schools as possible take up this offer so pupils can enjoy the experience of growing a tree and creating green spaces.”
The Woodland Trust is welcoming applications from state-funded primary schools until January 8.
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Teachers can visit woodlandtrust.org.uk to request their pack of 30 trees, which will be delivered in the spring.
