This project is designed to introduce a new way of increasing the number of trees planted in residential areas and on the high streets across the borough as a local initiative to help reduce the effects of climate change and green our streets.

Trees are a key element of our countryside, but they also have a major part to play in urban areas. Trees in parks and other open spaces, or lining the sides of our streets, railways and rivers are of great importance to people, particularly in residential areas.They can also provide valuable habitats for wildlife, improve the air we breathe, and help to conserve energy in nearby buildings.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage local businesses such as estate agents and factories to help us reach our goal and plant 120 in the first year and every year after to plant a minimum of 36 trees under this initiative. The plant-a-tree scheme is part of our climate change programme: it will support the local community, and take practical steps to tackle global warming.

By planting more trees it will contribute to addressing the problem of climate change while bringing benefits to local communities and conserving biodiversity. Planting trees can help slow down climate change because trees absorb carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Trees play an important part in reducing the amount of C02 released into the environment so by planting more trees it will help manage these increasing levels.

The objective of the project is to introduce a new way of planting more trees in the borough but at neutral cost to the Council. This will be done by obtaining funding from local businesses to plant trees in areas of the borough that need them most.

• Priority will be given to areas that have little or no trees.
• Areas around factories and industrial estates will also be looked at to see how many trees and where they can be planted to try and offset their carbon footprint produced by these business and organisations.
• Shopping centres, town centres and playgrounds will also be looked at to see if more trees can be planted to act as shade as the summer months become hotter.
• This will all act as a positive step towards addressing the issues of climate change and a step toward improving local collaboration and partnership.

How it will work

Local factories, businesses in industrial estates and estate agents will be asked to plant a minimum of 12 trees each a year, i.e. a tree a month. There will be a variation on this depending on the size of the company. Smaller businesses will be asked to sign up for 12 where as big or national companies may be asked to plant a minimum of 2 trees a months making it 24 in total. Any company wishing to plant more may do so.

This will make the borough a safer, cleaner and greener environment and do a small bit to help the battle of climate change.

A payment of £150 will buy the tree, get it planted and nurtured until the tree is established. The council will carry out the maintenance and pruning. This make a real difference to the attractiveness of an area, which is an important factor in attracting inward investment, and help reduce the affects of climate change.

Each time a business plants a tree we will place a plaque with the company’s name and details on it.

With the help of a tree consultant we will advise the businesses on the best tree for the area. Once the trees are chosen the company will receive a certificate detailing the tree that they have planted.

If residents or groups wish to adopt a tree they may do so. They can choose the number of trees they plant from one upwards. They will also have a plaque which they can dedicate to someone special or simply have their names on it. A limited number or words will apply.

Further information

For further information on the scheme or how to adopt a tree please contact:

Corinne Hibberd, Initiatives Manager
Phone: 020 8496 3000
Email: corinne.hibberd@walthamforest.gov.uk