Following a number of tree planting workshops throughout National Tree Week, four mass tree planting events took place across parks and green spaces in London. A total of 878 volunteers got stuck in to plant the majority of the 25,000 trees across four sites over the weekend, with the rest planted by community groups, school children and corporate volunteers. 

Volunteers reflected on the best thing about planting trees, and one said:

Part of the Mayor’s plans to plant 80,000 trees in the capital during National Tree Week and for London to become a National Park City in Summer 2019, the weekend was the capital’s largest ever planting event. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, joined in with the planting at Forest Road, Redbridge. Reflecting on the weekend, he said:

Trees for Cities was the lead delivery partner and the planting of these 25,000 trees was a great way of celebrating our 25th anniversary - as well as being reflective of our commitment to make cities greener.

Thousands of trees were planted across North, South, West and East London. 

North: Montagu Recreation Ground, Enfield

Trees for Cities worked in partnership with Enfield Council to establish new area of woodland in Montagu Recreation Ground. Almost 200 people, including 29 children got stuck in with planting the trees, which will not only help to improve air quality, but rejuvenate the urban green space for local residents to enjoy. The project was kindly funded by the Mayor of London, Enfield Council, Gemma and Chris McGough Charitable Trust and Brian Woolf Trust. 

South: Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham

As part of the regeneration of Beckenham Place Park, Trees for Cities worked with Lewisham Council to extend an area of woodland with 2,000 bright and beautiful new trees. Over 130 volunteers came together to plant the trees, giving the park a new breath of life. The project was kindly funded by the Mayor of London, Lewisham Council and the Naturesave Trust. 

West: Perivale Park, Ealing

Trees for Cities teamed up with Ealing Council to plant 5,000 new trees as part of the major Brent River restoration project, with 4,164 planted this weekend. Bringing over 170people together, the project was made possible by npower, who have partnered with Trees for Cities to Plant a tree for every customer who signs up to their ‘Go Green Energy Fix’ tariff, and remains on the tariff for at least 90 days. Laura McNamee, Head of Products, said:

"We're delighted to work with Trees for Cities to plant thousands of new trees in Perivale Park as part of the major Brent River Restoration projects. The new trees will make the park even greener, providing better urban green space for local residents to enjoy. By supporting this project and others by Trees for Cities, we are able to make cities up and down the UK better places to live."  

East: Forest Road Recreation Ground, Redbridge

Delivered in partnership with Redbridge Council and Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, this project saw 350 people come together to plant 9,000 trees, with the remaining 6,000 planted by local community groups, school children and corporate volunteers to create new woodland habitat in an underused area of the recreation ground. The new trees will create a haven for wildlife and the local community to enjoy. The flagship event was kindly funded by Redbridge Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy, the Mayor of London, Garfield Weston Foundation, Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Kudos and the Nineveh Charitable Trust.

Huge thanks to all the volunteers who came out to plant with us, and to our brilliant partners! The trees will benefit London's population for generations to come. You made it possible.