Residents and businesses have a chance to fill their streets with trees, after a subsidised tree-planting scheme was extended to Wandsworth and Richmond this week.
Trees for Streets, a charity project that enables individuals and organisations to sponsor the planting of trees in their neighbourhoods, has grown to cover 19 local authorities since being launched in May 2021, with Wandsworth and Richmond the latest councils to participate.
Under the initiative, sponsors are invited to suggest locations for new trees and contribute towards the cost of ‘installing’ and maintaining them.
Councillors on both Wandsworth and Richmond Councils hope that subsidising the cost of tree-planting will encourage residents to participate in making their boroughs greener.
Labour Councillor Paul White, cabinet member for environment on Wandsworth Council said: “Planting trees is an important part of strengthening biodiversity in Wandsworth, making a happier, healthier borough.
“By taking part in the Trees for Streets scheme, residents, community groups, and local businesses can play a real role in making Wandsworth greener and more biodiverse for the future.”
In addition to encouraging people to ‘club together to fill their streets with trees’, the scheme also facilitates the planting of ‘Celebration Trees’ — trees planted as memorials, or to commemorate specific events — in both Richmond Park and Wandsworth Park.
Sponsorship fees range from £250 to £350 per tree, with contributions going towards the cost of planting and maintenance — thought to be around £800 in total.
At a local level, planting trees in urban areas has been shown to help reduce flooding, improve air quality, and lessen the intensity of ‘urban heating’ in cities.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, deputy leader of Richmond Council and chair of its environment, sustainability, culture and sports services committee, added that planting more trees plays an important role in addressing the impact of climate change.
Cllr Neden-Watts said: “Planting trees not only makes the borough greener and more beautiful; it helps us respond to the challenges of a changing climate — benefitting all residents.
“Together, we can all enjoy the benefits for years to come.”
Residents who wish to sponsor a tree can do so by visiting the Trees for Streets website.
Feature image credit: Charlotte Wilson
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