Get closer to the city’s trees at Brighton & Hove’s first tree festival

Brighton & Hove’s Tree Festival is packed with free family-friendly activities over two weekends in May.

Find out more about the Tree Festival

The festival aims to raise awareness of the diversity of trees in Brighton & Hove, including a nationally important collection of elms, the national collection of Sussex apples, and more than 250 varieties of lilacs.

Despite this impressive collection, tree cover in the city is below the national average. A study commissioned by the council and CPRE Sussex showed huge differences in tree cover in different parts of the city – with the most covered areas having nearly 9 times as much tree canopy as the most poorly covered.

Opportunities for tree planting

The reports, provided by countryside charity CPRE and Treeconomics, also identify opportunities for new tree planting.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, chair of the Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee, said: “The tree study gives a stark reminder of the huge differences in tree cover across the city. We’ll be using this evidence, together with data on air pollution and flood risk, to target our resources to plant trees where they will bring the most benefits.

“Trees are essential to tackling the effects of climate change and extreme weather, capturing carbon, helping to reduce flooding, absorbing air pollution and improving soil and biodiversity. They make us feel better too, reducing stress and boosting wellbeing.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the city’s first tree festival and look forward to working further with CPRE to plant trees and develop urban planning strategies with tree planting in mind.”

The council is a partner in the Plant Your Postcode scheme and, as part of the City Plan review, has commissioned a Green Infrastructure Study to identify the need for green features on buildings, streets and public places.

Take part in the tree festival

The tree festival continues this weekend, 18-19 May. Walks take place in Pavilion Gardens and Stanmer Park and there's a talk about elm trees.

You can also discover the city’s trees on a virtual tour through digital trails and a map.

Councillor Rowkins added: “A huge amount of hard work has gone into organising this festival. I’d like to thank all those involved, including friends of parks groups, volunteers and CPRE Sussex, and our own staff for hosting walks and talks and working in partnership to produce the first digital tree trails in the city.”

All Brighton & Hove Tree Festival events are free to attend. Places for some events are limited and can be booked in advance.

More information

More about events on The Living Coast website

Organised by a team of volunteers and supported by CPRE Sussex, the Sussex countryside charity, the Brighton & Hove Tree Festival is sponsored by Connick Tree Care, Hanningtons Brighton and Rampion Offshore Wind.

Read the Tree Inventory report

Explore the Tree Planting Opportunity Mapping report

Biodiversity is our planet’s life support system. Restoring nature underpins the health and wellbeing of people and wildlife in an era of climate change.