Croydon is the latest UK council to join our national trees sponsorship scheme, to help deliver on its ambitious tree planting goals.
Croydon Council has planted 2,500 new trees since 2018, and tree work in the borough was recognised in the 2020 Forestry Commission’s London Tree and Woodland Awards (a.k.a. the “Tree Oscars”), which aim to raise the profile of London’s trees and woodlands and their need for active management, with the council’s woodland management programme receiving a Borough Tree and Woodland Award, and the nature trail created by volunteers from Friends of Spa Woods winning a Community Woodland Award.
We’re in the midst of an ambitious tree planting programme, having already put in 2,500 trees since 2018, and we’re aiming for a further 1,000 by winter 2022/23 – but we’re constantly looking at new ways to plant more. We know the positive benefits of trees to our climate and street scene are numerous.
Trees for Streets is a really exciting opportunity that enables both residents and local businesses to sponsor new trees in our streets and local parks. And, as part of this years’ scheme we are also being awarded additional money from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund to plant more trees in high priority locations.
Cllr Muhammad Ali, Cabinet member for Sustainable Croydon
The Trees for Streets online platform makes it easy for anyone wanting to sponsor a street tree in their neighbourhood to make a request to their local council by providing a few simple details. The council then assesses the chosen location, and if it is suitable, arrangements will be made to plant a tree the following winter, which is the best time to plant young trees to ensure they grow and thrive.
Beyond donating money to sponsor a tree, there are lots of other ways for people to get involved.
Once each street tree is planted, it will need watering every week throughout the summer for 3 years to give it the best chance of survival, and any litter or weeds will need removing too, to make sure it thrives.
Street tree watering tips:
- It’s best to water in the early morning or evening when it’s a bit cooler, so the tree can absorb as much of the water as possible before it evaporates in the sunshine.
- Young trees need 50 litres of water each week during the summer – that’s 5 standard watering cans, or 25 empty 2l drinks bottles!
- If the tree has a watering pipe, pour half of the water down the pipe and the other half on ground around the tree trunk. If the tree has a watering bag, simply fill that.
- Get into a regular habit – at Trees for Streets we like to remind people on our social media channels to water trees on #WateringWednesday, but you could give your nearby tree a daily watering can full Monday to Friday instead, or do it all at the weekend – as long as it gets a good long drink.
- You can use rainwater, washing-up water or bath water if you like – trees aren’t fussy!
By donating their time (and water) to care for street trees, people will be contributing to a legacy for their community. It’s also a great opportunity to chat with neighbours, and enjoy the fresh air these trees provide.
