Lambeth residents are being encouraged to sign up as volunteer ‘Tree Guardians’ – helping to plant and care for new trees – as the annual tree planting season gets underway. Over 500 new trees will be planted across the borough throughout the week, at St Luke’s school in West Norwood, Cowley Estate in Brixton, Wyck Gardens in Loughborough Junction and a special planting session at Bandstand Beds on Clapham Common this Saturday.
That will bring the number of new trees planted on council land over the last three winters to more than 12,000 – over double the council’s 5,000 new tree target, with volunteers, staff and partners highly commended for their efforts.
The council’s tree planting programme, supported by over £3.6million in external grant funding, is part of an ‘Urban Forest Strategy’ which aims to protect the 40,000 trees managed by the council and increase canopy cover to 20%, targeting areas with poorer air quality and fewer trees.
The need for trees has been made more urgent by the climate crisis, as hotter summers and wetter winters become the norm. Studies have shown tree-lined streets are up to 5 degrees cooler in summer, and a mature tree can soak up 500 litres of water in a day. This makes street trees particularly important, with over 2,200 planted so far.
Variety and adaptability have also been a focus, with 150 different species of tree planted, including drought resistant types and urban orchards in parks and open spaces.
The 11,809 trees planted by the start of National Tree Week include 4,500 mature trees between 3 – 4 meters tall and 7,300 young trees or ‘whips’ aged around one year. By the end of the planting season the council expects over 5,000 mature trees to have been planted. Many of these will be funded by a £39,000 grant from The Tree Council and Defra, crucial as the borough faces a major financial challenge caused by pressure on frontline services.
Deputy Council Leader Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air said:
“I am delighted that we’ve not only achieved but far exceed our ambitious tree planting targets for Lambeth, and that’s thanks to the huge efforts of volunteers, council staff and partner organisations over the last few years.
This is a year-round commitment – from days spent in the freezing cold of winter planting new trees to the harsh heat of summer, watering daily during unprecedented dry spells.
As our climate changes, trees are a vital part of our neighbourhoods, cleaning our air, soaking up floodwater, providing shade and shelter for humans, insects and animals alike.
But our work is far from complete, and the parks team are always happy to have more help from the community – so do volunteer as a Tree Guardian to help plant and care for trees so they’re here for generations to come.”
The Tree Council CEO, Sara Lom said:
“Trees outside woodland are the trees we all come across most often – those in our parks, on our streets, and offering shade to playgrounds. We’re delighted on the 50th anniversary of National Tree Week to partner with Defra and support Lambeth’s inspirational tree planting programme.”
A growing legacy
Residents can write to Treeguardians@lambeth.gov.uk to log their interest in becoming a guardian – you’ll be invited to take part in community planting sessions and get tips on how to care for trees in your local area.
The team share opportunities from local groups such as Bandstand Beds, Brockwell Park Community Partners, Wild Clapham, CCMAC, Lambeth Friends of the Earth, Friends of Norwood Park and many more, all of whom have been instrumental in the borough’s tree planting programme.
You don’t have to be a guardian to look after a tree near you. Trees enjoy being mulched with wood chip (although not around the stem) in both winter and summer. In the summer, if it is very dry and especially very hot, then watering your local trees young and old will support them to thrive. More guidance is available at: https://www.streettreesforliving.org/caring-for-tree
