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Now in it's 45th year, this week is 'National Tree Week'.
National Tree Week is the UK's largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree planting season (November to March each year). This year, it's taking place 28 November — 6 December.
Lord Goldsmith and Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley commented that they hope this year's event will be 'bigger than ever'.
Also marking the start of the National Tree Week, environmental charity Cool Earth is encouraging people across the UK to plant a tree to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee as part of the 'Queen's Green Canopy' initiative.
Supporting the initiative, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Sir William Worsley, said:
'The value of trees has never been clearer and at a time where we must do everything we can to not only tackle climate change, but also adapt to its impacts. I would urge everyone to pick up a spade and plant a tree for the jubilee.
As the government's expert forestry advisors and proud carers of the nation's forests for over 100 years — we are hugely excited to support the Queen's Green Canopy.'
The Government recently consulted on a new 'England Tree Strategy' to accelerate tree planting and improve the management of our existing trees and woodlands.
The £640m 'Nature for Climate' fund will help deliver the English portion of Government's manifesto tree planting commitment, alongside peatland restoration and nature recovery. The Prime Minister also recently announced a further £40 million additional investment into the government's 'Green Recovery Challenge Fund' — this will go towards creating and retaining thousands of jobs in the environmental sector.
Follow Defra's twitter account this week for more updates on National Tree Week.