Sometimes one person can make a big difference. Serial tree sponsor Emma is almost singlehandedly regreening her street in West Harrow, having already sponsored 6 trees and with plans to sponsor more.
Campaigning for a better world
When we spoke to Emma, we asked her why she was so motivated to get involved with the Trees for Streets scheme. She told us that there are 1001 great reasons to plant more street trees!
In her spare time, Emma campaigns for people to drive less and walk more when making local journeys. She believes that tree-lined streets make this easier and more desirable. Emma firmly believes that having more trees and fewer cars on our streets is the no.1 most effective way for people to cut their carbon footprint for a better future.
From grey to green
When Emma moved to her street five years ago, there wasn’t a single tree on it.
As someone who is a self-described tree lover, this was a very disappointing situation. She got in touch with other residents, and after much pleading, they convinced the council to plant five trees down the far end of the road.
Emma said that she felt this was a good start, but she was disappointed when after years the rest of the street was still treeless. And she was frustrated that there was no formal mechanism available in Harrow to sponsor street trees to help the council plant more.
Better streets benefit everyone
Emma is a real tree lover and a strong advocate for the benefits they bring. She told us about how just having trees on a street makes it more sheltered and quiet. They’re less polluted too.
One of the other things Emma loves about trees is the fact that they encourage people to walk more, particularly children and vulnerable adults. They even make people drive more slowly.
As Emma says, trees are like green speed bumps!
A real tree hero
As soon as the Trees for Streets scheme launched, Emma jumped at the chance to get involved! She decided to sponsor an amazing six trees in her street.
There’s a saying: The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, but the second best time is right now.
I’ve wanted to do something like this for years, so as soon as I heard that Trees for Streets were working with my local council, I embraced the opportunity.
Emma
Harrow Council’s tree specialists planted Pear, Crab Apple and Serviceberry trees along Emma’s road, to attract a variety of wildlife and give year-round appeal.
Emma continues: “These trees have made an instant impact on this street, they’ve been planted along one side of so will soon provide more shade, not to mention a beautiful seasonal show of blossom and leaves.”
Emma now plans to sponsor more trees on the other side of the road, which is just amazing. She has even set aside an annual tree-planting budget to help her make her vision a reality. Emma plans to sponsor trees every year, for as long as the scheme is in operation.
Making a difference on her doorstep
Emma says that although it is possible to offset carbon emissions by funding tree planting in rural areas, she prefers the idea of her and her neighbours benefiting directly from her carbon reductions year-round. She says that street trees are worth their weight in gold.
Trees bring so many benefits. They can help to:
- Improve our mental and physical health
- Lower the amount of air pollution
- Protect from flooding
- Encourage more careful driving
- Reduce littering and fly-tipping
- Make our neighbourhoods better places to live
Sponsor a tree on your street
If you’re inspired by Emma’s story and you’d like to fill your street with trees, then please use our online sponsorship request app, which lets you pick a location on our interactive map.
