Brent Council announces new tranche of tree planting

Trees on King's Drive Estate, Wembley

It is perhaps mere coincidence that this follows the recent row over the felling of street trees and the resulting formation of the Brent Trees pressure group. It is a small start and more detail is needed but all the same a welcome announcement.

Announcement from Brent Council

More than 300 new street trees are coming to Brent, thanks to a £203k cash injection*, which also covers their maintenance for the next three years.

The new street trees will be planted in areas of the borough with:

• Low tree cover
• High levels of air pollution
• High levels of deprivation

What’s more, late last year, community groups and private gardens across Brent received more than 1,530 saplings as part of a Mayor of London initiative.

Community groups were offered advice and support from the Council’s Parks Service, on species and ideal locations for the new trees. Meanwhile, residents with private gardens received rowan and wild cherry saplings for planting at home.

Brent Council has made a commitment to plant at least 520 new trees every year.

Cllr Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment, said:

A simple tree has a story that lasts a lifetime, it cleans the air we breathe, it gives habitat to natural life and it makes our streets that much nicer to behold.

Our climate fightback has only just begun, but with hundreds of new trees coming to roads and avenues, we’re not just planting for the future, but investing in Brent’s lungs today.

*£143k grant from the Forestry Commission and Greater London Authority, with an additional £60k from Brent Council