Tree sponsorship scheme for residents to bring more greenery to Hillingdon

The council is one of the first local authorities in the capital to sign-up to the 'Trees for Streets' scheme - a national initiative to increase street tree numbers and create greener communities. The not-for-profit initiative is being run by the national charity Trees for Cities.

Through the scheme, residents will be able to request for a tree to be planted in their street by making an online sponsorship donation. They will also be able to choose whether to water the tree too, helping give them a sense of ownership and involvement in the appearance of their area, while also helping to address the climate emergency.

Interested residents can request for a street tree to be planted at their suggested location through the council's website. The council's green spaces team will then assess the location, and if it's suitable, will make arrangements to plant the tree in winter - the best planting time to ensure young trees grow and thrive.

Residents can choose between two types of sponsorship; they can opt to sponsor their tree and water it themselves, or to sponsor the tree but have the council water it.

As part of a sister scheme, residents are also being invited to sponsor trees to be planted in the borough's parks and green spaces. These trees would mark celebrations and positive life moments, such as weddings, anniversaries and graduations, so that each tree has its own, happy story.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration, said: "We're delighted to be pioneering these brilliant new schemes, which will give residents a real sense of pride and ownership over the appearance of their streets and green spaces.

"We're lucky to live in a verdant, leafy borough but as we look to address the challenges of the climate emergency it's vital we do more to counter the effects of global warming.

"Increasing the number of trees on our streets will help clean the air, reduce local carbon dioxide emissions, aid local biodiversity and of course, keep our streets visually appealing."

The scheme follows the work the council has already been doing in partnership with Trees for Cities to plant trees in green spaces, streets and schools. A project which has so far seen more than 230 residents helping to plant trees across the borough. 

Currently in the second year of its three-year programme, successful work under the scheme has included planting 50 new fruit trees in Colham Green, where their flowers and fruits provide foraging opportunities for a variety of insects and birds. 

Through these two initiatives, the increase in trees will help to improve air quality by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and providing a home for nature. 

It will also encourage more residents to venture outdoors and enjoy their surroundings, as spending time in natural, green spaces has been proven to be beneficial to mental health and general wellbeing. 

For more information and to sponsor a tree visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/sponsor-a-tree.