A Northern Ireland council’s initiative is to deliver tens of thousands of trees on a similar budget to its Centenary planting celebrations and a single Christmas tree purchase.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) has released an evaluation report of its £20k nursery plant project, which is part of an overarching £1.7m Local Investment Programme (2022-23).

In 2021, the council spent £20k planting 100 trees for the NI Centenary celebrations and in 2022 paid £18k to a Co Kerry firm for its annual Christmas tree.

The recent evaluation report read: “Poly-tunnels were installed at the LCCC plant nursery and are in full tree production, with the first crop of trees due winter 2024.

“There are 65,000 trees due to be dealt to the Woodland Trust this winter to enable sustainability of the project.

“A further 120,000 trees are in the process of germination and should be ready for winter 2024/25.”

The councils’ recent tree budget for the district including felling (£2k-£3 per tree) outsource third party advice and government department licences, came in at £150k.

The local authority has one of the “lowest tree stocks in Northern Ireland”, according to its parks officer – a status it is aiming to change.

The report added: “Communities will avail of additional tree planting, which not only improves the local environment and makes the area more attractive, but encourages local communities to meet and enjoy nature, whilst reducing social isolation amongst some.”