Forty two new trees have been planted in Manchester city centre as part of the Oxygen Towers construction project.
Framing the building, four different types have been planted along the pavements around all four sides of the eye-catching 32-storey building which sits at the junction of Great Ancoats Street and Store Street.
Designed to make for an attractive street scene and provide screening for pedestrians from the road and windy weather, the trees also offer benefits for local wildlife and contribute to carbon reduction ambitions by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing oxygen.
All of the trees have been installed in planters, with the majority being Austrian Pine, a fast growing evergreen which will attract birds with its seeds.
Equally prevalent is the Snowy Mespilus or Juneberry tree, recognisable by its bronze-tinged leaves which turn orange and red in autumn. It has white flowers in the spring which will be welcomed by the bees, while the birds will love its dark red berries.
Half a dozen Western Red Cedar totems will stay green all year round, while a few hardy Photinia will mark the change in seasons as new growth emerges red throughout the year before changing to green, earning it the nickname Red Robin.
The tree planting programme comes as the £80m project enters its final stages. The 369 apartments, 12 town houses are almost complete and are set to welcome residents in the coming weeks. The reception, public spaces pool, gym, sauna, spin studio and changing rooms, will follow.
Properties are being marketed for sale by Alliance Investments. https://alliance-investments.com/oxygen/
