Mid and East Antrim Tree and Woodland Strategy

Trees and Woodlands

The borough has approximately 9,400 hectares of tree canopy, covering 8.8% of the area, which is below the England average of 16.5%. The strategy aims to increase canopy cover, improve species and age diversity, and strengthen resilience to climate change, pests and diseases.

Key actions include:

• Improving asset management using valuation tools such as CAVAT.
• Strengthening Tree Preservation Orders, conservation policies and enforcement.
• Ensuring appropriate species selection, site suitability and long-term maintenance.
• Developing consistent inspection and risk management procedures.
• Creating comprehensive GIS-based tree inventories for council and private trees.

 

Climate, Biodiversity and Natural Environment

Trees play a vital role in climate adaptation by reducing flooding, cooling urban areas, improving air quality and storing carbon.

The strategy will:

• Protect and expand native woodlands and natural regeneration areas.
• Improve habitat connectivity and ecological corridors.
• Restore biodiversity through habitat management and invasive species control.
• Monitor tree health and implement biosecurity measures to reduce the impact of pests and diseases.
• Use tools such as i-Tree Eco to measure and demonstrate the environmental value of trees.

 

Community Engagement

The strategy encourages residents, community groups and landowners to take an active role in caring for trees through education, outreach and partnership working.

Actions include:

• Public engagement campaigns and educational events.
• Supporting private landowners with advice and management plans.
• Working collaboratively to protect and expand the borough's treescape.

 

Urban Trees

The strategy aims to create healthier, greener communities by increasing urban canopy cover and addressing areas with limited tree cover.

Key priorities are:

• Working towards the 3-30-300 principle.
• Using tree equity mapping to target planting where it is most needed.
• Developing an accessible online map showing tree locations, condition and benefits.

 

Strategic Priorities

The strategy aligns with local development, environmental and climate policies and sets targets through to 2035.

Priority actions include:

• Increasing canopy cover and improving woodland resilience.
• Securing long-term funding for planting and maintenance.
• Monitoring progress through regular reviews.
• Supporting research and innovation through partnerships with universities and environmental organisations.
• Sharing best practice through regional and international networks.

 

Full document

You can view it as a Word file using this link

You can view it as a PDF using this link

 

Consultation

We would like to hear your views on our Tree and Woodland Strategy through our short 5-minute survey.

You can access the survey online using this link: Tree and Woodland Strategy Feedback – Fill in form

The survey is also available to download, print and complete manually at the link below

Tree and Woodland Strategy Feedback Form (Printable Word version) 

 

You can and return it by email: trees@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or by post to:

Sustainable Development Team

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Carrickfergus Civic Centre

11 Antrim Street

Carrickfergus

BT38 7DG

If you would like this publication in an alternative format, such as large print, or another language, please email: trees@midandeastantrim.gov.uk