Sponsoring a tree for their street
Over the past two years 190 new trees have been planted in Hillingdon through the national charity initiative, Trees for Streets. The project has brought together residents, local businesses, and Hillingdon Council, to make its streets greener, healthier and happier places to live. By sponsoring trees, Hillingdon locals have been able to help get trees in the ground.
Green my street
Residents and local businesses have used the interactive map on the Trees for Streets website to pick locations where they’d like to see a new street tree planted. Many residents have asked to fill gaps outside their houses or elsewhere on their streets; some opt to sponsor a tree in their favourite park.
It’s a very simple process – once the request is received, Hillingdon Council conducts a survey to make sure there are no obstructions such as cables, pipes or utility covers. If all is ok, the sponsor’s donation is accepted and that coming winter the council’s contractor is instructed to plant a new street tree at the approved location.
Watering help
The single most expensive cost involved in planting and establishing a new tree is often the watering. It’s fantastic that so many residents have also taken on the job of watering their sponsored trees. This is a huge help and also a very rewarding activity, as it can offer opportunities for neighbours to get to know each other and feel more connected to their communities.
Local heroes
The Trees for Streets team met some of the wonderful local sponsors to catch up with them now that their tree is planted.
Helena and Adrian wanted to help turn their street into a greener place to live for their growing family, and so sponsored a tree outside their family home. “We were keen to have more trees outside our house for shade, clean air and a greener view from our windows,” said Helena. Their three year old daughter helped them give the tree a little extra water over the hotter months, and even their neighbour kindly helped with the hose pipe a few times!
Some residents sponsor trees in memory of loved ones – also known as Celebration Trees. Kathleen sponsored a tree in a park right by her house, in memory of her late mother, who had lived in the same house for over 40 years. Kathleen and her family love watering and taking care of the tree, which they can see from their doorstep.
Meanwhile, Bharati sponsored a tree in memory of her late husband, who loved nature.
Whilst we have lots of individual trees being sponsored, some residents sponsor multiple trees. One local hero funded a whopping 27 trees over the past two years to transform their street. What an incredible gift to the neighbourhood.
Get a tree planted this winter
If you’d like to get involved in greening a local street in Hillingdon maybe outside your house, your children’s school or along a local highstreet, visit treesforstreets.org/hillingdon today.
Sponsorship requests must be made by the end of November in order for trees to be planted this winter.
