Tree Equity for Hartlepool

Tree Equity for Hartlepool is a pioneering multi-partner project helping to create a greener, healthier, more climate-resilient Hartlepool for generations to come.

Why Hartlepool?

We all deserve access to the benefits that nature can bring, but in Hartlepool, many communities are missing out.

The town has one of the lowest Tree Equity Scores of any local authority in England, meaning some neighbourhoods lack the tree cover needed to boost air quality, reduce flood risk, and support a range of wildlife.

The story so far

Launched in March 2025, Tree Equity for Hartlepool brings together local people, national partners, and urban forestry experts to help empower communities across the town to plant and care for trees where they're needed most.

Since then, we've planted 4,000 trees (and counting!) across more than 5 hectares of land, and engaged over 2,260 people in our Movement for Urban Trees and Tree Equity.

In June 2026, the project was showcased at the Woodland Trust's APPG for Woods and Trees, underscoring its innovative approach to place-based planting. Tree Equity for Hartlepool is increasingly being recognised as a blueprint for similar initiatives, and we plan to welcome Cecil Konijnendijk, whose 3-30-300 framework underpins the project, to the town in November 2026.

Looking ahead

We're aiming to plant thousands more trees in Hartlepool between October 2026 and March 2027. As we develop our plans for the upcoming planting season, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Click here to have your say!

What we've achieved together

4,000+

trees planted

2,260+

people engaged

5+

hectares covered

If you're having trouble viewing the video on our website, you can view it here on YouTube.

Our partners

Hartlepool Borough Council

Hartlepool Borough Council plays a central role in delivering the Tree Equity for Hartlepool project, helping us engage local communities, identify planting opportunities, and embed a long-term approach to tree maintenance across the town.

Woodland Trust

As the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, Woodland Trust works to protect, restore, and create woodlands for the benefit of people, nature, and the planet.

Treeconomics

Treeconomics is a social enterprise that supports organisations in building realistic, data-driven strategies to enhance and protect the trees and woodlands in their care.

Tees Community Forest

Tees Community Forest operates across the Tees Valley, providing landowners, communities, and partners with guidance, funding advice, and practical expertise across a range of woodland services.

Thirteen

Thirteen is a housing association and developer that manages properties across the North East, Yorkshire, and Humber regions, providing affordable homes and offering a range of community services.

Our funders

Tree Equity for Hartlepool is part funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Linbury Trust. We're incredibly grateful for their support in bringing this ambitious project to life.

Nature Towns and Cities

We’re delighted to share that Trees for Cities is now part of the Nature Towns and Cities coalition.

This partnership marks an exciting step forward in our mission to make trees matter, transforming urban environments through establishing trees and green spaces. By working alongside Nature Towns and Cities partners and in key places, we can help increase tree cover, enhance biodiversity, and create greener, healthier places for communities to thrive.

Project Manager Leah Johnstone has also been recognised as a Nature Towns and Cities Nature Maker for spearheading efforts to ensure that everybody in Hartlepool gets to benefit from trees.

Stay in the loop

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