For £10, a sapling growing in woodland in Red Rose Forest or the Mersey Forest can be dedicated with a personalised certificate marking the donation. The dedicated trees are planted on sites that have previously been neglected or inaccessible but which are currently being transformed by The Forest Commission into stunning recreation and conservation facilities with pathways, wetlands, ponds and trees all made accessible for everyone to enjoy.

The scheme is run by Community Forests Northwest, the charity supporting The Mersey and Red Rose Forest, who are striving to increase tree cover in the Northwest of England over the next 40 years. Numerous celebrities have already joined in the support for Community Forests Northwest’s work, including Linda Barker, from Changing Rooms and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, who urges everyone to get involved:

“Trees make for a brighter future, help Community Forests Northwest make a better future for all of us.”

The Northwest of England has one of the least wooded landscapes in Europe. By supporting the work of Red Rose Forest and the Mersey Forest through Community Forest Northwest’s Dedicate a Tree scheme you can help to rectify this problem, as well play a part in the transformation of the Northwest of England into a greener, greater place.

For further information about the Dedicate a Tree scheme or the work of Community Forests Northwest, please contact Jessica Boyle on 0161 872 1660.

Notes to the Editor
High-resolution images to complement this press release are available. Please contact Faith Ashworth, Marketing Manager, Red Rose Forest on 0161 872 1660 or faith@redroseforest.co.uk

Dedicate a Tree Facts
The scheme has been hugely successful with over 500 trees dedicated to loved ones so far. Half the £6000 proceeds go towards Red Rose and the Mersey forest and the other half goes to the Forestry Commission who help to maintain them.

The woodlands that are associated with the Dedicate a Tree scheme are in Bury, Bolton, Wigan in Lancashire, Burtonwood, Northwich and Delamere in Cheshire and Maghull and Whiston in Merseyside.

Community Forests Northwest was created in 2001, to support the work of the Northwest region’s two Community Forests – Red Rose Forest in Greater Manchester and The Mersey Forest in Merseyside and North Cheshire. Community Forests Northwest generates funding and raises awareness of the two Forests – enabling them to continue their vital work, increasing tree cover across the Northwest region and creating attractive environments in which businesses and local communities can thrive.

Community Forests Northwest is supporting Red Rose Forest and The Mersey Forest as they see over 50 million trees planted in the region over 40 years and offers businesses and individuals many opportunities to get involved in this valuable project.

Community Forests Northwest (through Red Rose Forest and The Mersey Forest) have planted 3693 hectares or around 8,300,000 trees since the Forests’ began.

Since the Forests began, woodland cover over the two Forest areas has increased by 54%

Of the region’s land area, 30% is built up and only 3.8% is wooded. The national average for woodland cover is 8% and the European average woodland cover is 33% - meaning that the Northwest region is severely lagging behind!

Over 70% of land in the Northwest is suitable for woodland planting

Energy consumption can be 10 per cent lower in buildings sheltered by trees. A large beech tree can provide enough oxygen for the daily requirement of ten people.