North Belfast Blooms! Ardoyne & Holy Cross Schools Plant for a Greener Future

This spring, our communities across North Belfast are truly blossoming, taking the lead in transforming grey spaces into vibrant green havens. Exciting urban forestry projects are underway, as local residents and schools work together to plant more trees, establish community orchards, and celebrate the incredible nature right on our doorstep.

Last November, agreed a motion to collaborate with residents, schools, and local organisations. The goal is to create and maintain more community orchards and develop an 'edible landscape' across the city, as part of a wider Tree Strategy to significantly boost tree canopy. Since then, dedicated Woodland Officers have been busy supporting groups, helping them identify suitable sites and lending their expertise to get these green initiatives off the ground.

In Ardoyne, an area currently with just 4.6% tree cover, a remarkable transformation is taking place. The Flax older people's group has teamed up with Ardoyne Community Centre to plant fruit trees in the centre's grounds. This fantastic project will benefit residents of all ages, providing fresh produce and beautiful green spaces. Plans are also in motion to offer training in orchard management and host healthy food workshops once the trees begin to bear fruit, ensuring a sustainable and fruitful future for the community.

Meanwhile, at Holy Cross Nursery School, the youngest members of our community are getting their hands dirty! Pupils have been enthusiastically planting fruit trees and 150 native trees to create a new hedge. This not only provides a vital new wildlife habitat but also offers natural screening from an adjacent car park, making the school environment even more pleasant.

These inspiring projects are part of a city-wide effort to make Belfast a greener, healthier place. Even further afield, an previously underused space at Shaw's Bridge is now home to 14 apple, pear, and plum trees, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Malone Tornadoes, Ulster's first mixed-ability rugby team. Working alongside the Council’s Parks Outreach and Park Warden teams, the club has also helped revitalise the wider car park area with new fencing and clean-up works, beautifully demonstrating how inclusive sport and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand.

Councillor Fred Cobain, Chair of the People and Communities Committee, highlighted the profound impact of these initiatives. "Spring is the perfect time to see Belfast come to life, and it’s fantastic to see communities playing such an important role in creating a greener, healthier, and more connected city," he said. "These projects don’t just improve our environment and boost biodiversity; they also support better physical and mental health and create spaces where people can come together to enjoy the benefits of nature on their doorstep."

The focus remains on increasing tree cover across the city, prioritising neighbourhoods with the lowest levels of tree canopy. These planting schemes clearly show how this can be achieved sustainably, benefiting everyone.

For those inspired to make a difference in their own area, the Council is eager to hear from you! Communities interested in exploring the feasibility of a tree planting project or an orchard can get in touch with the Woodland and Recreation Unit at treeplanting@.