Communi-Trees in Camden

For the first stage of the project, Camden Council identified estates that needed tree planting. After the estates were identified, Think and Do asked residents whether they wanted trees and what kind of trees they wanted.  The residents helped to plant the trees on community planting days.

Instead of recruiting unpaid volunteers or hiring contractors to look after the trees, Think and Do employs ‘young foresters’ between the ages of 16 and 25.  The ‘young foresters’ are paid the London minimum wage of £13.50 per year to water the newly planted trees for the first two years. After this time, Camden Council is responsible for looking after the trees. The project aims to have one young forester for every ten trees planted.

The first trees for the Communi-Trees project were planted in winter 2022–23. Since then, the team has kept planting during each tree-planting season, focusing on different housing estates in Camden.

In the third year (2023–24), the goal was to plant fruit trees and create a “London orchard.” Residents loved the idea of having fruit trees near their homes because it meant fresh, healthy fruit right on their doorstep. To make the most of limited space, the project chose dwarf fruit tree varieties, which stay small but still produce plenty of fruit.

By February 2024, 82 fruit trees had been planted across eight sites, and young foresters were hired to care for them. The following season, another 90 trees were added—60 of them fruit trees—across four more estates. More young people joined the team to look after these new trees. The project also organised pruning days and tree-care training sessions so that all young foresters could learn new skills.

By summer 2025, the Communi-Trees project had reached 13 estates and involved hundreds of residents. Together, they planted more than 300 trees, including fruit trees and native ornamental species, helping to make Camden greener and healthier.

Community engagement was very successful. Think and Do spoke to 200 residents in each estate and the community planting days were well-attended. This work made sure that communities felt connected to the new trees. Over 3 years, 170 trees (including 82 fruit trees) were planted in areas of low tree canopy cover. The partnership between Think and Do, Camden Council, and KOKO Foundation was very successful. It brought together different organisations to secure a better, greener future for the residents and young people of the Borough.

However, planting the fruit trees proved challenging. In London, fruit trees cannot be planted in estates unless the soil has been tested for contaminants. Although the KOKO Foundation provided some funding, as soil testing is very expensive, they could not provide the necessary funding for the long term. For the 2024-25 planting season, Think and Do therefore worked with students from University College London (UCL) to create a soil map of Camden. The soil map is now used by residents and other stakeholders to check whether their soil can be used to grow fruit trees. This reduces costs for future fruit tree planting projects and has given UCL students new skills and experience.

• Consider hiring professional contractors for some work – Digging tree pits can be very difficult for residents and volunteers. The ground in estates can be very hard, so professional labourers may be needed. This is a large cost that must be added to budgets.
• Involve local communities in decision-making and planting – Make sure residents are involved early-on so that they feel connected to the trees. The ‘young foresters’ are an important part of the Camden Communi-Trees project. Similar projects should also aim to invest in young people.

Find out more about Think and Do's Communi-tree project and the KOKO Foundation.