Of the 320 street trees already planted, 289 (90%) are on roads with no street trees previously. <\/p>\n
This is mainly because NESST has been able to raise funds to be able to subsidise the cost of planting trees on such uncanopied roads.<\/p>\n
Paul Selby, the chairperson of NESST said: \u201cNone of our efforts to plant over 300 street trees would have been possible without the collaborative support of Sheffield City Council or Amey. <\/p>\n
“After the conflict with them about street trees between 2013 and 2018, I became a Sheffield Street Tree Partnership Group member.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/JS368048767.jpg\")
TREES: Previously planted trees by in South West Sheffield<\/p>\n
“We worked together between 2020 and 2022 to trial a new process that allows residents and community groups to fund additional street trees, and that has led to a 14.5% increase in the street tree canopy cover in the NESST area of Sheffield.\u201d<\/p>\n
This has resulted in Sheffield becoming part of the Trees for Streets initiative, launched in Sheffield in May 2023.<\/p>\n
Paul continues: \u201cI was one of the biggest critics of Sheffield City Council during the street tree conflict. <\/p>\n
“However, all credit to them and Amey for working in partnership to trial, problem solve, and finalise this city-wide scheme.<\/p>\n
“It just shows that good can come out of the bad, and all involved in making this happen should be praised.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m proud of the fact that we\u2019ve been able to support the planting of so many street trees on roads without street trees previously. <\/p>\n
“Particularly so in relation to the 82 street trees planted in the canopy cover deprived areas of Highfield and Lowfield.<\/p>\n
“That means many more residents in Sheffield will be able to benefit from the academically proven ecosystem, biodiversity and mental health positives that street trees provide.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over four winters, NESST has been able to coordinate funding for the planting of 320 street trees within the area of south west Sheffield that it covers.<\/p>\n
That has included successfully winning more than \u00a380,000 of grant funding from both the Forestry Commission Urban Tree Challenge Fund; and the Aviva Wild Isles Fund.<\/p>\n
It has also involved NESST raising more than \u00a360,000 of funds from its members to be able to 50% subsidise trees on roads where individuals or groups of neighbours have worked together to plant street trees.<\/p>\n
Paul Selby, further describes the future plans: \u201cBack in autumn 2020, I identified 3900 locations for potential new street trees within the NESST area, and set out the aim of filling as many of these gaps over the next 17 years.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/JS368048765.jpg\")
PLANTING: A few of the trees the team planted<\/p>\n
“In just four years, we\u2019ve filled 9% of these locations. I don\u2019t ever expect to fill 100% of the locations, but based on previous progress, it is reasonable to aim for 30 to 50 new trees each winter. <\/p>\n
“So, we may reach around a third of the 3900 locations by 2037, when the current Sheffield Council Highways contract with Amey ends.<\/p>\n
“To help us achieve this aim, we\u2019d love to hear from local residents and local companies in the NESST area who would be willing to work with us.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019d of course also welcome donations to our latest Crowdfunder too!\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone can donate to the Crowdfunder, whether you live in Sheffield, elsewhere in the UK, or indeed anywhere in the world. <\/p>\n