Almost 10,000 trees planted in Swindon over past five months
The Borough of Swindon has become greener, thanks to the efforts of volunteer tree planters.
Published: Friday, 11th April 2025
Since November last year, 9,744 trees have been planted across Swindon through a partnership between Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (WWT).
Through the Trees for Climate programme, the Great Western Community Forest (GWCF) and Swindon Forest Meadows schemes, tree planting has taken place in a number of the town’s parks and open spaces including Shaw Forest and Mouldon Hill.
When fully grown, each hectare of new tree planting will annually capture and store around 295 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the main greenhouse gases causing climate change.
As well as locking up carbon, trees help to improve soil quality and mitigate soil erosion, while they also reduce pollution and flooding with more than 30 per cent of the new trees being planted in areas that support natural flood management.
This year’s planting has taken place thanks to the support of volunteers with a number of events being hosted and supported by local businesses, parish councils and the WWT.
Councillor Emma Bushell, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for the Build a Greener Swindon mission, said: “The amazing green-fingered volunteers of Swindon continue to improve our parks and open spaces and I couldn’t be more thankful.
“They do a lot of work to improve our town’s environment and they deserve the highest possible praise.
“Since 2020 Swindon has seen around 50,000 trees planted and we’re hoping the next five years will produce even more opportunities to enhance our parks, open spaces, highways and footpaths with more planting.
“There are still opportunities to get involved with the Trust and lend a hand with any future planting opportunities. If you’re interested, get in touch.”
As part of the Great Western Community Forest, Swindon’s 9,744 trees is part of more than 76,000 trees planted across the entire GWCF area, which covers an area of 39,000 hectares (over 168 square miles) stretching from the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the River Thames, with Swindon at its heart.