MORE than 1,500 trees will be planted across Oxford as part of a bid to make the city greener and more wildlife-friendly.

Two tree planting events have been organised by Oxford City Council and local community groups and schools who have received free packs of trees from the Woodland Trust.

The planting sessions tomorrow and Saturday are part of National Tree Week, which started on Saturday.

City councillor John Tanner, executive board member for a cleaner, greener Oxford, said: “Improving Oxford's environment and getting communities together are top priorities for the council. I hope to see many local people joining these tree planting events and helping to make our parks even greener.”

Hundreds of native trees such as hazel, wild cherry and hawthorn will be planted in Cutteslowe Park, North Oxford, tomorrow in an event organised by the council with Low Carbon Oxford North.

A similar event will take place at Rose Hill Recreation Ground on Saturday, organised by Rose Hill and Iffley Low Carbon.

The trees, all native broadleaved species, will grow into a flourishing wood in as little as 10 years and will enrich the local environment while creating new homes for wildlife.

John Tucker, Woodland Trust director of the woodland creation scheme, said: “The UK has just 13 per cent woodland cover compared to a European average of 44 per cent and the trees we do have are under increasing threat from diseases and development.

“By teaming up with communities like Low Carbon Oxford North and Rose Hill and Iffley Low Carbon, the Woodland Trust is working to double our native woodland cover and enrich our landscape.

“It’s also great to get the public out planting trees, hopefully providing people with an experience they will remember forever.”

The Cutteslowe event will take place from 2pm to 4pm while the Rose Hill event will take place from 11am until 2pm.

Equipment will be provided, but organisers advise those taking part that they should come prepared, with warm clothing and a pair of sturdy boots.

Other community groups can order tree packs from the Woodland Trust for planting in spring 2014 by visiting woodlandtrust.org.uk/ communitytrees