Borough-wide Tree Planting
The London Borough of Hounslow Borough declared a Climate Emergency in 2019.
The Council and its partners are looking at many ways of dealing with the effects of Climate Change and making the borough more resilient to its effects.
Planting Trees is one way of trying to reduce the carbon in the atmosphere. However, trees have a life span and are prone to pests and diseases and so we need to proactively manage our current parks tree stock to increase diversity, biodiversity and numbers to replace those that will die or fail. We need to be ambitious and not only aim to maintain the current canopy levels but add to them to increase opportunity for carbon capture, air cooling and to mitigate the effects of air pollution.
Trees not only define our park landscape but also make our greenspaces more resilient to the effects of Climate Change, thus making Hounslow a healthier environment to live in.
What does the borough-wide Tree planting in Parks and Open Spaces mean?
Tree planting in the borough’s parks and open space where gaps have been identified or opportunities exist to enhance or replace existing trees and tree features.
How many trees will be planted?
For this planting season Lampton Greenspace are hoping to plant approximately 448 standard trees and 6232 whips and hedges across parks and open spaces in the Hounslow borough.
As well as approximately 200 street trees being planted by Hounslow Highways.
Additional trees are also being planted as part of other improvements schemes within the borough.
Where will they be planted?
In areas within parks and open spaces that have been assessed and recommended suitable by the Lampton Services Greenspace Tree team.
What species have been chosen for these sites?
Tree species have been chosen by the Lampton Services Greenspace Tree Manager based on soil and light conditions as well as location suitability, biodiversity value, historic and cultural context and community benefit and enjoyment.
Take a look at our tree planting schedule.
What other benefits will tree planting bring?
Increased food sources for insects, birds and mammals and humans; connectivity between the borough’s greenspaces; diversity within the boroughs tree species; improved landscapes & active land management; shade & cooling; and enjoyment of the natural world for residents and visitors.
Who will plant and maintain the trees?
Lampton Services Greenspace tree team will undertake the planting following the schedule that can be found on the website. They will install stakes and watering pipes on the standard size trees to be able to water and protect the trees for the first 3 years after planting. After this general maintenance includes annual inspections to identify any required works i.e. formative pruning and basal growth removal. When standard trees and whip groves are old enough to support themselves stakes and protection fencing maybe removed.
In some locations teams of volunteers will help to plant trees and whips. The Parks team will be in touch with our friends groups and local community for any planting ideas.
Has Community Safety been considered?
Yes, locations have been assessed and chosen based on limiting restricting future views and not creating areas to hide in.
Can I help look after new trees?
Yes please! When there are long hot spells of warm weather in the Spring and Summer, please use the left-over water in your water bottle to pour directly around the base of any new trees on your way out of the park.
Please call the Council Contact Centre to report any issues around Environment and Street Services 020 8583 5555.
You can also adopt a Hounslow tree on our partnering website Greentalk.
Hounslow Greentalk helps you discover the urban forest on your doorstep. Visit the Hounslow map to explore and find out about over 123,000 trees on Hounslow's streets, estates and in our parks.
How do I request a memorial tree in a Council owned park?
You can order a memorial tree to be planted in a suitable park location within the borough, please contact us for more information.
If you have any more questions, then please contact parks@hounslow.gov.uk and add 'Memorial Tree' in the subject line.
