THE Institute of Chartered Foresters has welcomed the announcement from Environment Secretary Michael Gove that £10 million funding is being made available to plant more than 130,000 trees in England’s towns and cities.

It is also urging professional foresters to make sure their views are known as the Government prepares to consult on a new English Tree Strategy later this year which will have an input into a new flagship Environment Bill.

Shireen Chambers, ICF executive director, said: “I hope that the Environment Secretary will take on board the views of professional foresters and embrace the chance to make sure that we can have an ambitious strategy to increase woodland cover for all the benefits that trees bring.”

Arboriculturist Sharon Hosegood, ICF vice president, added: “It is not just about planting more trees in towns and cities, but how we do it and where. It is our responsibility to help steer policies that result in successful urban forestry.”