As temperatures soared during the heatwave of 2026 and rainfall was scarce, street trees across the country faced the toughest summer of their lives. Newly planted trees are especially vulnerable during prolonged hot, dry weather, and without enough water, many can struggle or even die before they’ve even had a chance to grow.
Thankfully, across Hillingdon, Ealing, Tower Hamlets and Croydon, local residents stepped up to help.
Through the Watering Champions scheme, volunteers took part in #WateringWednesday – our yearly summer campaign to encourage residents to water newly planted trees in their neighbourhoods. Over 500 Watering Champions were out every week with watering cans, buckets, and whatever they could get their hands on – and made sure their local street tree could beat the heat.
Why does watering matter?
The first few years are critical in a tree’s life, and young trees need at least 50 litres of water a week for their first three summers to help their roots establish and eventually fend for themselves.
While newly planted trees are watered as part of council maintenance programmes, watering hundreds or even thousands of young trees is a substantial undertaking. Periods of prolonged hot, dry weather can place extra pressure on everyone – councils and trees alike – and this is where community support comes in.
Watering Champions is a simple but powerful way for residents to support the young trees in their communities.
Volunteers scan the QR code attached to the young tree to receive weekly reminder emails to water it during the summer months. The scheme works alongside council watering programmes, giving young trees additional support when they need it most.
Celebrating our Watering Champions
Residents across Ealing, Hillingdon, Croydon and Tower Hamlets have spent the summer caring for local trees, helping them through one of the hottest and driest seasons on record. Here are just two of the many Watering Champions who made a difference this year.
Callum in Hillingdon had only just moved to the area with his partner when they spotted the Watering Champions label on a tree in their street. “It’s been exciting to see the tree grow, even in the short time we’ve been taken care of it. I’m glad it’s made it through the challenging weather this year.”
Over in the London Borough of Ealing, hundreds of residents are caring for local trees. Amelia signed up to water the new tree in her neighbourhood in Greenford to help her local nature. “Watering trees is a good help for nature, and if we don’t water the trees, they won’t be able to give us oxygen.” Amelia’s mum, Kavitha, added, “As a parent, I was keen to get my children involved in adopting a tree on our street so that they got a taste of voluntary work and giving back to the community.”
Our dream is to see a Watering Champions scheme in every council across the UK. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Sheffield’s Watering Champion scheme and hope to see more councils join next year.
A big thank you
This summer has demonstrated the difference that committed residents can make.
To everyone who took the time to water a young tree, check on its condition or encourage others to get involved, thank you. Your efforts have helped support the next generation of street trees and contributed to greener, healthier and more resilient neighbourhoods.
As our towns and cities continue to adapt to a changing climate, partnerships between councils and communities will become increasingly important. The Watering Champions scheme shows what is possible when residents come together to care for the trees that will benefit their neighbourhoods for years to come.
Together, we’re helping young trees not just survive, but thrive.
