Brent Council propose to spend £0.5m on tree planting

 

From the Draft Tree Strategy. Most of Brent's 19,000 trees are of unknown species at  present

 

As part of the planned spend of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure monies (LINK) Brent Council is proposing to spend £498,360 trees in line with the Brent Tree Strategy currently in consultation. 1,500 trees wil be planted in 15 specified areas bwteen now and October 2027.

The plans have been welcomed by the recently formed Brent Tree Champions (See below), particularly the proposal for large standard size (3m tall tree) trees rater than saplings, but more detail will be needed regarding maintenance, choice of species etc.

The Proposal:

 

 CAPITAL PROJECT

This project proposes to plant 1500 trees in areas identified across the borough split across 15 identified areas in line with Tree Strategy. Pre- engagement and consultation will be carried out with residents between September 2025 and December 2025. 

 

Planting intends to commence in January 2026 with the end of establishment watering scheduled for October 2027.
 

Trees for Brent is a wide-ranging proposal to plant new trees across several neighbourhoods and Wards of Brent. Trees proposed are large ‘standard’ size, typically 3 metres tall with a fully formed clear trunk. 

There is also one area on new woodland planting proposed, under barn Hill Project Area. Areas have been identified by residents and community groups bringing forward requests direct to officers or via councillors. Several councillors are strongly in support of new trees in their wards and have developed working relationships with officers to constantly seek funding opportunities. 

 Sadly, in last year there has been a dramatic fall in external funding for large standard trees suitable for street and public realm planting. (small woodland whips continue to be available but there is very limited potential to plant these in Brent, residents are not looking for tiny trees, they want to see something of significant size).

Some residents’ groups in project areas listed below have been waiting a long time for suitable funding opportunities therefore this NCIL roundis very welcome and will address an extensive list of community requests.
 

For ease of project management and to ensure focussed community engagement with a wide range of different groups, proposal has been divided into 15 distinct local neighbourhood areas.
 

Number of new trees is given for each project site, these numbers have been assessed by officers as realistic for planting in each area.

Criteria used to assess project areas are:

1/. Community interest and support for new trees
2/. Councillor support
3/. Brent Connects identified priorities for each area
4/. Need for trees in the areas proposed, officer site survey to assess existing tree provision
5/. Sites affected by development, proximity to Growth Areas
6/. Indices of Multiple Deprivation (based on 2015 IMDs)
7/. Tree Equity Score – a measure of tree canopy cover by LSOA for each project area
8/. Area of Open Space Deficiency – Significant for some Project Areas.

 

BRENT TREE STRATEGY CONSULTATION

There are two Tree Strategy Cosultations next week register on-line and complete the on0line consultation here: https://haveyoursay.brent.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/draft-brent-tree-strategy/1
 

Consultation ends on the 18th September 

 

BRENT TREE CHAMPIONS

 

 

Brent Tree Champions has been set up with the following aims: 

1a.         Campaign to maintain and preserve existing Brent trees in public spaces and private gardens.

1b.         Campaign to increase the tree canopy through replacement of felled trees and new planting.

1c.         Encourage the community to appreciate their trees and their contribution to mitigating the local effects of the climate and ecological emergencies

1d.         Encourage the community to actively engage with the above aims.

2. Individuals and organisations who agree with these aims are invited to join us. Email BrentTreeChampions@gmail.com and follow Brent Tree Champions on Twitter @tree_brent1424