During this winter’s planting season, the council planted 1,728 trees from a variety of species to boost biodiversity and increase canopy cover, cooling Lambeth down during the hottest days and contributing to a more sustainable place to live and work.
The number of new trees surpasses the initial target of around 1,100 new trees this year after a very busy planting season by Lambeth Council’s tree team who prioritised locations by climate risk and currently low canopy cover.
The council’s Urban Forest Strategy outlines the measures the council will take over the next three years to plant more than 5,000 trees in highways, in estates and within parks, open spaces and churchyards.
Deputy leader Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said: “I am delighted with the efforts of our tree teams who have been so busy planting more trees than in any year in recent memory.
“We have smashed our initial planting target, and we are now ahead of schedule to ensure 5,000 new trees are planted before spring 2026.
“Increasing the number of trees in Lambeth benefit everyone. They provide canopy cover for shade during the hottest days of the year, while also helping deal with rainwater run off during heavy downpours. They increase biodiversity and provide habitats for birds and animals.”
Lambeth Council already manages more than 40,000 trees from 320 species and performs regular checks to ensure the existing trees are healthy and free from disease. Trees are only felled where necessary for public safety reasons.
The Urban Forest Strategy sets out the principles that decide how many trees are planted in different locations.
Cllr Chowdhury added: “Our tree team have been exceptionally busy this year managing and maintaining existing trees to ensure they are healthy and are thriving while also taking action when needed to remove dead or dying trees that are a hazard.”
