Can you help your neighbourhood’s trees survive the heat

Published: Wednesday, June 14, 2023

  • Can you offer a helping hand your nearest street tree
  • A good watering will help keep your street green and leafy
  • Borough boasts some 56,000 trees - including 15,000 in residential streets

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A tree with Gator bag

With the capital continuing to enjoy hot and dry weather, residents are being asked to give a helping hand to thirsty trees in their neighbourhoods.

To help keep their streets green and leafy, residents are being urged to check on trees in their neighbourhoods and water them if they’re looking parched. This is especially important for young and newly planted trees.

Over the winter months the council planted hundreds of street trees across the borough and there are concerns that some could start to wilt if warm and dry conditions continue for a prolonged spell.

Many trees have a plastic tube dug into the ground alongside the trunk which allows water to be poured deep into the soil to help nourish the roots. Others have so called “Gator bags” attached which can be filled with water to keep trees in good health.

Judi Gasser, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Environment said: “If there is a tree near where you live that looks a bit dry and thirsty please give it some water.

“Every winter the council plants hundreds of new trees to ensure Wandsworth remains one of London’s leafiest boroughs. Residents can help by keeping an eye on their nearest street tree and giving it a helping hand if it’s needed.”

Every district in Wandsworth saw street trees planted last winter with species including Flowering Cherry, Field Maple, Turkish Hazel, Hornbeam, Sweet Gum and Silver Birch.

In total the council looks after roughly 56,000 trees in its parks, commons and open spaces while around 15,000 grow in residential streets and on the borough’s housing estates.

The borough also boasts a number of local tree wardens. Wandsworth was one of the first urban councils in the country to establish a network of wardens – members of the public who work with the council to keep a close watch on the health and well-being of trees in their neighbourhood.

People interested in becoming a tree warden can email Wandtreeward@aol.com