A WEST Midland city has been awarded ‘Tree City of the World’ status in recognition of its urban tree planting programme. 

Solihull becomes one of just 19 areas in the UK to have the international award, given by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 

With the intention of planting 250,000 trees in ten years to help achieve the council’s net-zero ambitions, Solihull joins the likes of Newry Mourne & Down, Sheffield and Cardiff in claiming the gong. 

Chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, Dan Lambe, said: “Trees are important to people, no matter what country they are from or what language they speak. 

"We all want to live in a city that is healthy, resilient, and beautiful – trees serve as a common language to make that possible.

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"Being recognised in the Tree Cities of the World programme means that your city is committing to go above and beyond to define trees as critical green infrastructure for your citizens.”