AN arboretum, garden centre and zero waste store have teamed up to encourage people to plant trees across the county.

Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum, Perrywood Garden Centre and REco Store have set up a programme to boost tree planting over the next 12 months.

The organisations launched the moved during National Tree Week and have been planting spruces at the arboretum in Coggeshall.

The project will see them support and encourage their customers and visitors to plant trees.

It will also include working with schools and offering advice for people who want to plant trees in their own gardens.

They will also be launching a fund to raise money to help even more people plant trees across the region.

Ian Chandler, arboretum manager said: “What many people don’t realise is [trees] are natural air cleaners, taking in all the carbon dioxide we produce and returning it to us as oxygen.

"So, whether you have room for one tree, a whole orchard or would like to just contribute towards the cost of tree planting, this new partnership means that everyone can get involved in this tree planting revolution.”

In 2020 the three organisations will be giving people the opportunity to donate money for a tree which will be planted on the Marks Hall Estate.

Susie Falco and Elise Clitheroe from ReEco Store, in Tiptree, said tree planting was a small way to help save the planet.

They said: “We are in the middle of an environmental catastrophe.

"People across the country are taking steps to try to reverse the effects of global warming, whether that’s recycling at home, cutting out the use of plastics or reducing their consumption of meat.

"However, one simple and effective ways to help is to plant trees and shrubs."

Hannah Powell from Perrywood, in Tiptree, said many people were put off by concerns about lack of space in their gardens.

But she said: “Contrary to these beliefs there is space in the majority of gardens for a tree.

"Many can be planted in a pot and even some larger trees can take regular pruning to restrict their root growth.”