The first tree arrives in Queens Gardens today (Thursday 10 March) signalling the start of a major planting programme as part of the park’s £11.7m redevelopment.
An 11-metre tall Metasequoia tree will be craned into position before being planted in the centre of the gardens. This will provide an example of the scale and type of planting that will follow later in the Autumn.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “This tree is one of the dozens of trees, of various size and majority, that will be planted during the project.
“The tree planting programme will not only help create a stunning urban green space, it will also improve biodiversity by improving foliage and providing a good source of nectar and pollen for birds, bees and insects. Some of the trees within the planting scheme are also on the endangered species list.
“The Queens Gardens redevelopment, alongside the urban park we are creating as part of the Albion Square development, will ensure that both residents and visitors will have access to first-class city centre green space.”
The first tree to be planted is a Metasequoia tree – a species of conifer known as redwoods. Metasequoia trees are fast-growing and can grow to 30 metres in height.
Last week Hull City Council appointed a specialist company to deliver tree planting within the project.
GreenBlue Urban will supply and install 13 urban tree pit systems within the Queens Gardens redevelopment. These systems will be located on the northern and southern edges of the development and will prevent trees from damaging the new perimeter and boundary walls of the park.
A wide variety of trees will be planted elsewhere in the gardens, and the wider city centre, as part of the Queens Gardens redevelopment.
The first stage of the £11.7m Queens Gardens redevelopment has begun and is expected to be completed in June 2022. The second and final phase of the works will begin this summer, with completion expected at the end of 2023.
The Queens Gardens refurbishment is an integral Hull Maritime, the £30.3m project that includes the Hull Maritime Museum and the North End Shipyard – which will be the new home of the historic Arctic Corsair. The shipyard is being transformed into a new visitor attraction, which will tell its rich story for the first time. visit maritimehull.co.uk
You can find out more about the Queens Gardens project here. You can find out more about the Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City project here.
