A day devoted to boosting the greenery of Bradford saw 750 trees planted at a nature reserve by volunteers from the Cathedral and community. 
The first day of National Tree Week 2019 saw the trees planted at the Denso Marston Nature Reserve to also provide some much needed flood support.
People from Bradford Cathedral, Extinction Rebellion and Baildon CE Primary School, plus volunteers from the Bracken Hall Countryside Centre and Museum, grabbed gloves and spades and helped plant the trees into the ground.
There were even volunteers on the day who were passing or walking their dogs and jumped in to help out.
Mike de Villiers of the Cathedral EcoGroup said: “Trees are the natural cover of this country, and we really need to reinstate them and overturn the damage that we, as humans, have done over the centuries.
“We think of this country as a green and pleasant land of fields, but if you think about the Roman era, they had to battle through forests.
“We need to put forests back as we’re now experiencing more extreme weather conditions and trees hold back water.
“It’s also about restoring biodiversity; the whole of the eco-system relies on the trees.”
The event was a collaboration between Bradford Council, Bradford Cathedral and the Aire Rivers Trust, with support from the Denso Marston Nature Reserve and YORgreencic, a woodland social enterprise who work with volunteers and local communities on a range of green space projects.
This latest day brings the total number of trees planted over the last three years to 1800, including on the same site plus another on Gaisby Lane.
The Very Revd Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford, said: “We’re literally digging for victory!
“Climate emergency; planting trees – it’s good news for the environment and good news for humankind.
“And we’re excited to work in close partnership with Bradford Council on this, our second woodland.”
Bradford Councillor Caroline Firth said: “We’re going through a climate emergency and tree planting is something we’re working hard to do.
“We are happy again to be supporting the cathedral with these excellent projects around the environment.”
Jemima Parker, Diocesan Environment Officer, said: “I’m delighted that Bradford Cathedral are leading the way on this woodland project.
“Trees are so important for capturing carbon, flood alleviation and for our mental health.
“This project will contribute to the Northern Forest Initiative which is seeking to plant 50 million trees across the north of England, and I’m happy that our churches are taking the initiative in this area.”