It’s always really special when a group of neighbours get together to sponsor a tree and give back to their local neighbourhood. We visited Peter, Chris and David who had done just that and heard all about their experience.
Making Hillingdon greener
It was a beautiful sunny day when we went to visit, and the newly planted white Cherry tree was already in full blossom! The neighbours who sponsored this tree are clearly delighted with it, and have enjoyed its blossom throughout the Spring.
When the leaflet first came through the door advertising the Trees for Streets scheme, they thought it would be a great idea to get involved.
When they realised that they would get to see the exact tree they sponsored and experience it every day as it grew, they went ahead immediately!
A special meaning
Peter, David and Chris have all lived on the street for many years. Peter told us that he had been there for 35 years and the others have lived there for a long time also. They’re all long-standing neighbours and know each other very well. You could tell by talking to them that there was a great sense of friendship and community spirit on the street!
The group wanted to sponsor a tree as a way to commemorate some very special neighbours who had sadly passed away. Those neighbours had already been on the street for 15 or 20 years when Peter moved in, and it’s clear that they held a very special place in everyone’s hearts.
A group effort
Street trees need watering regularly in their first few years, to make sure they establish well.
When sponsoring a tree through our app, sponsors have the option to take responsibility for watering, or this can be left to the council for an additional cost.
Peter told us about how they decided to share the task, but because it’s closer to David’s home he can reach it with his hose so it’s easier for him.
The great thing about sharing the job of watering is that when one person is away on holiday, there’s always someone else around to do it.
Keeping the street green
The street is already very beautiful, with gardens full of trees and flowers. But as Chris told us, a lot of the trees are quite old. Some are damaged and others seem to be dying. Peter told us about how there used to be beautiful pink Cherry Blossoms trees on the grass verge along the road, in the place they selected to plant their new tree.
It’s clear that residents of the street really care about it and like to keep things nice, and some have tried to get a wildflower meadow established too. Chris says her husband likes to go out and take an active role in maintaining things!
As we were chatting out on the street beside the tree, someone walked past and saw us putting one of our QR code labels on it, and enquired about what we are doing. She thought it was a great idea.
Trees make our streets better
The benefits that trees bring to urban areas are amazing. They help us by:
- Improving our mental and physical health
- Absorbing air pollution
- Protecting from flooding
- Encouraging calm and careful driving
- Reducing littering and fly-tipping
- Making the neighbourhoods where we live nice and more pleasant.
Sponsor a tree on your street
If you’d like to help fill your street with trees, then please use our online sponsorship request app, which lets you pick a location on our interactive map.
