Inspired by their 9-year-old eco-warrior neighbour, Kathy and her husband sponsored a tree for the youth of the next generation.
From social media to street tree
When Kathy Romer heard about Worthing’s tree sponsorship scheme on social media, she thought it was a good idea – but it was her (then) nine-year-old neighbour who made it happen. “She’s an eco-warrior,” says Kathy. “She wanted to take part in the scheme. We like trees, they’re nice to look at and they help the environment”; her enthusiasm was the deciding factor.
Now, a Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ stands outside Kathy’s home. With its lovely spring blossoms and suitability for urban streets, it’s a tree that will thrive for years to come.
A lasting connection
Kathy hopes the tree will be there long into the future.
“We want it to grow big and strong and still be there long after we move out – we’ll still have a sense of belonging to the home where our kids grew up.“
And in the meantime, it’s already bringing moments of happiness. “It cheers people up to see their neighbours doing things like this. People often stop to ask us about it when they see us out there with the watering can.”
A different kind of tree
Kathy has noticed that this street tree feels different from the ones in her garden.
“Seeing your own tree on the street when you pull up to park after a long day at work gives you genuine happiness. Weirdly, the other trees we have in the garden don’t do that. There is something about the fact that it is your tree, but everyone gets to enjoy it to that makes you happy.”
As a recent empty nester, she even finds herself chatting to it while she fills up the watering bag in the evening. “It’s a lot less trouble than getting a dog,” she laughs.
A community scheme rooted in nature
The tree sponsorship scheme in Worthing is part of a wider partnership between Worthing Borough Council and Trees for Streets, aimed at bringing more greenery to local streets and connecting communities with nature.
Sponsors choose where their tree is planted – whether outside their own home, a local school, or a favourite park. The trees are planted during the cooler months from November to April to help them flourish, and sponsors are reminded each summer to water their trees, helping create a lasting legacy for the neighbourhood.
If you want to find out if you can sponsor a tree in your area, simply enter your council name on our website to find out.
Written by Karen Nyga
