• New tree planting in the borough hits a ten-year record

The Teddington Society warmly welcomes the news that Richmond Council have planted the highest number of trees in a single season for more than 10 years.

Since the start of November, 253 trees have been planted in line with Richmond’s Climate Emergency Strategy commitment to increase tree cover in the borough – with many more to come.

All in all, more than 500 trees will be put in place by the time the planting season finishes in March. The Council have thanked in particular the local groups and organisations who have so far helped to plant trees in School House Lane, Teddington (where new fruit trees were added to the community orchard there); and in Heathfield recreation ground; Carlisle Park, Hampton; Twickenham Green; and Moormead recreation ground in St Margarets.

The Council also successfully applied for funding from the government’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund. This will result in 123 trees being planted in areas where canopy cover is less than 20 per cent in Heathfield, Whitton, Barnes and Hampton.

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, who chairs the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee, described the planting programme as “excellent news” – a view shared by Sheena Harold, our Chairman.

“Not only do trees make a huge difference to the town landscape” Sheena said, “but they also help reduce carbon dioxide and act as a habitat for birds and many other species.”

She thanked the Council for their planting programme which, she said, would benefit local people for generations to come.