First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is inviting residents to become volunteer Tree Guardians and help protect dozens of young trees recently planted across the borough.

Working with environmental charity City of Trees, the housing association has already added 76 saplings to eight Oldham neighbourhoods: Egerton Street, Eldon Street, Glodwick, Holts Village, St Mary’s, Sholver, Coldhurst and Alt.

Now the organisation wants local people to “adopt” the saplings, checking they remain healthy and watering them during dry spells. Each tree has a built-in watering bag to make after-care simple.

Holts resident Jennie Holdsworth has already signed up. “I grow my own fruit and veg, so caring for greenery is second nature,” she said. “I’d love to plant my own trees but lack space at home; tending a community tree is the next-best thing.”

David Wrigley, FCHO’s Head of Neighbourhood Care, said Tree Guardians will help the young trees thrive while boosting biodiversity and supporting the association’s climate-change goals. “We want guardians in every community we serve,” he added.

Species planted include sycamore maple, European hornbeam, Swedish whitebeam and London plane.

Residents can register at fcho.co.uk/Tree-Guardian.

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