Leave your mark on London, plant a tree
23 MARCH 2011
News of global warming, icecaps melting and crime in neighbourhoods form a cacophony that surrounds us every day. Many people I know want to do something to improve their local environment and lessen their impact on the planet, but don't know how to when living in such a large city.
The truth is, each and every one of us can make a huge difference with little more than a spade, a pair of boots and a few hours of our time.
We hear a lot about tree planting in London at the moment, and rightly so: trees lock up carbon and play a vital role in mitigating against climate change; they help keep the city from getting too hot in the summer and in some places they can even lower crime rates.
London is a green city, but it's also a growing one. We need to protect and improve all our green spaces and boost our tree numbers and canopy cover.
Coming out to plant a tree or helping transform a neighbourhood community space is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding ways to volunteer - there aren't many feelings like taking off your gloves, getting a warm cup of tea and surveying all the saplings you've planted.
You might not be planning on staying in London for long. Maybe you're a student or travelling. Whatever your circumstance, could there be a better way to leave a mark on the city than to plant a tree?
If you plan to stay a Londoner forever, plant a tree in your neighbourhood, watch it grow and reap the benefits for years to come.
I've been with Trees for Cities for over 10 years and I've seen how trees have an amazing power and the benefit they provide are many and varied. I know that they can help transform urban areas, they make people feel safer and more connected with their environment.
The trees in streets absorb rainwater and can help prevent flash-flooding. The trees that are planted on the roadside can help reduce the speed of passing cars and keep the pavements safer. And the ones we plant in green spaces encourage people to exercise, making us a healthier, happier population.
There has never been a better time to volunteer in the city, so I urge you all to dig out your trustiest pair of wellies and join us in keeping London green for generations to come.
Sharon Johnson is Chief Executive of Trees for Cities
Comments
Lets plant trees in the Old Street Roundabout - must be a way to absorb some of that car pollution..
30 January, 2012 10:11
Comment submitted by Alexander (not verified)
The information provided over here is really helpful. It helped me through out my research, also i want to contribute one more website to help others.
Please have a look to http://www.wealthystudent.co.uk Its is Student Information website. I found Best Student Advice and Student Disocunts over there which helped me during my Student Life
20 October, 2011 13:58
Comment submitted by steve burford (not verified)
The information provided over here is really helpful. It helped me through out my research, also i want to contribute one more website to help others.
Please have a look to http://www.wealthystudent.co.uk Its is Student Information website. I found Best Student Advice and Student Disocunts over there which helped me during my Student Life
19 October, 2011 07:43
Comment submitted by Steve burford (not verified)
Dear Ms. Johnson,
I'd like to plant a tree in London.
I even have a tree to plant - I mean 'plant on' - since it has outgrown it's barrel. I take it you have your tree suppliers but my tree was given to me by a friend who runs a forest of oak trees in Shropshire and the tree is splendid, free of any diseases etc. DO let me know if there is somewhere in central London (where I have spent all of my life) where I can plant it 'in the ground'.
I have a suggestion - if not for my tree, than for another! What about the central reservation of the Chelsea Bridge round-about which has to be the most barren, unimaginative mound of grass in all of England. It happens also to be one of the major portals to/fro the South of London and beyond - a route to Kingston, Brighton etc.
What can be done? Can't a proper English oak or some other lasting symbol of beauty be planted atop the mound? I'd love to help!
Regards,
Francis
20 September, 2011 20:34
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14 September, 2011 07:50
Comment submitted by Mega Search (not verified)
Hi Sharon,
I wonder if you can advise. A tree surgeon from the council (camden) came on Monday and completely "butchered" what was a beautiful tree outside our block. It was absolutely beautiful in shape and size and maturity and because a branch (small) had fallen off they had to completely reduce it to a skeleton. I've written a letter of complaint to the council but I was wondering what other measures we could take to ensure that this practice is stopped ? I believe that the Mayor is also very much against the practice that has appeared to blight our neighbourhoods in recent years (it was not always like this).
Regards,
Robert.
3 August, 2011 10:58
Comment submitted by robert stannard (not verified)
hi!
If your planting trees to clean up the dirty air pollution, Great but please also follow up by spending 5 grand on each bus to clean up their diesel exhaust fumes by 60 % instead of spending £250,000 on your new hybrid buses.. That would clean london up far quicker and cheaper too!
Also try copying Berlin who stopped diesel vehicles older then 2006 from going on the roads and petrol vehicles older then 2001!
This caused a huge drop in air pollution by 64 % overnight.. That was 2 and a half years ago!
Lets have some real inteligent leadership here!
As you well know over 10,000 people a year now die from air pollution in London alone.. A damn disgrace!
When are you going to wake up and stop giving your puny excuses and do something Real!
26 June, 2011 12:16
Comment submitted by DBT ARTS (not verified)
Hi
Looking for advice re a large, beautiful tree in our conservation area...been rated as TPO defensible (13) but this rating is beng disputed with Hounslow Counci. Residents asking for review as guidlines suggest it should be 15 or 17. TPO essential.
The council has already given approval for the tree to be felled despite no publicity or consultation.
They are still asking for more time to consider but there may not be time.
We beleive the tree may be at immediate risk.
Is there any advice you can offer to give this tree a stay of exceution to allow the case to be reviewed?
Thank you for your time
16 April, 2011 09:42
Comment submitted by Kathryn Harper-Quinn 20 Parkside Rd Hounslow TW3 2BD (not verified)
Hi
Looking for advice re a large, beautiful tree in our conservation area...been rated as TPO defensible (13) but this rating is beng disputed with Hounslow Counci. Residents asking for review as guidlines suggest it should be 15 or 17. TPO essential.
The council has already given approval for the tree to be felled despite no publicity or consultation.
They are still asking for more time to consider but there may not be time.
We beleive the tree may be at immediate risk.
Is there any advice you can offer to give this tree a stay of exceution to allow the case to be reviewed?
Thank you for your time
16 April, 2011 09:41
Comment submitted by Kathryn Harper-Quinn 20 Parkside Rd Hounslow TW3 2BD (not verified)