Is there a gap in your road where a tree used to be? Would you like to “adopt” a sapling and perhaps water it during dry weather while its roots become established?
If you answered “yes” to the above questions, Croydon council would like to hear from you.
“Footways are hostile environments for trees and, unfortunately, each year many either die or become diseased” said a Croydon spokesman. “These are removed and some 500 new trees are planted annually, as part of an overall replacement programme.
“The council is keen to ensure that these replacement trees are planted where there is most need and so would like to hear from anyone who can identify street locations that previously held trees and that could benefit from new planting. “New trees will be planted only in existing footpath tree pits” he added.
- Get in touch with the council’s trees and woodlands team and say:
- where you would like to see a tree planted;
- if there is already a tree pit there, and if it contains a dead tree or has been asphalted over;
- what type of tree you would like; and
- if you would be happy to water the tree for the first few years – especially in dry weather.
Cllr Phil Thomas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: “Croydon has a well-deserved reputation as one of the capital’s greenest boroughs, and we’re proud of that and the fact that so many of our streets are lined with established, healthy trees.
“It’s proven that street trees enhance an area and can increase the feeling of pride and well-being in its residents.
“Sadly, as a matter of everyday life, and for a whole range of reasons, trees die or have to be removed, and we’re aware that there are a number of vacant tree pits in the borough’s roads.
“We’d like to replace some of those missing trees, so are asking residents to get in touch and tell us if there’s one of these vacant pits in their road and if they’d like to see it once again occupied by a healthy tree.
“Planting normally takes place between the beginning of December and the end of February, so now is the time to let us know.”
Anybody who would like to see a vacant tree pit returned to productive life should send an email to [email protected] or drop a line to Green spaces division, Public realm office, Stubbs Mead Depot, Factory Lane, Croydon CRO 3RL.
Tags: Tree planting, Trees in Croydon
