Trees and woodlands are good for Londoners, good for visitors to London, and good for business in London. We want more of them.
Looking after and planting more of our leafy friends
You've got to love trees
Not only are they amazing living things, beautiful to look at and to shelter beneath in sun and rain. They also improve the look and feel of our neighbourhoods. They help cool our streets. They act as sound barriers. They help improve air quality. They provide homes for wildlife.
We're big fans of them and are working to ensure London has many more trees.
We're funding 10,000 new street trees.
Studies show that increasing tree cover by 10% can reduce the surface temperature of a city by between three and four degrees centigrade. Working with boroughs and other partners we aim to increase tree cover across London from 20% today to 25% by 2025 – with around 2 million more trees for London.
Looking after London's trees and woodlands
We work with the Forestry Commission and other partners to maintain and enhance London's trees and woodland as a vital part of our commitment to improve our city's environment and the quality of life for all Londoners.
The Mayor's London Tree and Woodland Framework (published March 2005) outlines the benefits of trees and woodlands, and tells us what we should do to maximise their contribution to London's quality of life. The full Framework document and an eight-page introductory leaflet are available to download:
London Tree and Woodland Framework PDF
London Tree and Woodland Framework RTF
London Tree and Woodland Framework leaflet PDF
London Tree and Woodland Framework leaflet RTF
Get a grant to plant
The Mayor's Street Trees programme is an expansion of the Forestry Commission's London Tree and Woodland Grant Scheme and will run until 2012. Residents' groups, community organisations, charities and boroughs can apply for the grants. To view the maps showing the priority areas and for information on how to apply for a grant relating to this scheme, visit the London Tree and Woodland Grant Scheme website.
If you live or work in one of the priority areas and are interested in having a street tree planted outside your house or office, you can register your interest at: Street Trees.
Publications
>By spring 2011, 9,500 of the Mayor's 10,000 new street trees will have been planted across the capital.
