Tree planting

The climate emergency poses a significant challenge, and trees play a key role in helping us to adapt to changing conditions. 

Planting new trees

We are committed to increasing the benefits of trees through increasing the canopy cover across the borough. In practice, this means planting more than we remove.

All our trees are planted in accordance with our tree management policy.

Location selection

We have ambitious planting targets to meet, driven by the commitments we have made in The Corporate Plan and Climate Emergency strategy and action plan.

When selecting new planting locations, we consider where a new tree will bring maximised benefits, for example, in an area that is lacking existing canopy cover.

New tree locations are carefully positioned with the aim of avoiding future conflicts with adjacent buildings and infrastructure and we carefully select species to support this aim.

Tree roots

In order to minimise tree root damage to surrounding infrastructure, we plant our trees in bespoke tree pits that contain root-directing barriers to encourage roots to grow away from the pavement surface and minimise the potential for damage.  

Replacing removed trees

We are committed to replacing every tree that is removed, in line with our adopted Tree Management Policy (page 8) and we will seek to provide a replacement planting at the earliest suitable opportunity.

With limited resources and a large number of sites to manage across the borough, replacement planting is prioritised according to need, site constraints and available funding. As a result, we are unable to provide a timescale for stump removal or replacement planting.

However, if you would like to support additional tree planting in the borough, you may wish to consider our Tree Sponsorship Scheme.

Tree stumps

Tree stumps are not typically removed immediately after a tree is felled. They are usually left in situ, at a safe height, until a new tree is ready to be planted.

Often the pavement requires repairing after a stump has been removed and sometimes our Highways team will temporarily pave over the tree pit until a new one can be created, ready for a new tree.

Commemorative trees

Sadly, we cannot plant or allow the planting of commemorative trees. This is because we cannot guarantee that the tree is going to establish or be free from vandalism, the result of which can be very distressing for the families involved. 

We do however run a commemorative benches scheme. For more information view Memorial seats in parks.

Sponsor a new tree

You can apply to sponsor a new tree in a local street or park.

Your sponsorship brings more trees into our neighbourhoods. This supports wildlife, improves air quality and creates cooler and more resilient streets for everyone to enjoy.