Tree friends and residents are being thanked for their tree watering support, which adds to the council’s watering programme for newly planted trees, part of the Treemendous tree planting initiative.
Residents living near relatively newly planted street trees are particularly encouraged to consider watering the tree near them, providing additional water to the council’s own watering programme. The Tree Friend support is being welcomed by the council, with thanks to resident volunteers as well. The news follows the completion of last season’s tree planting work earlier this year.
Around 1500 trees were planted over the winter planting period, as part of the council’s £1.92 million Treemendous tree planting initiative, with these trees receiving regular watering over the summer period to help them establish during the early stages of their life when trees are at their most vulnerable. Around 50 litres or 11 gallons of water is being given to each newly planted tree over the summer period to help sustain the newly planted trees.
Councillor Will Rowlands, Executive Councillor for Environment said, “We are already seeing the benefits of our tree planting programme, with this impact continuing for many years to come, further underlining our status as a green borough. Particularly if you live near to a young street tree, it would be fantastic if you could help water it, which will help it both survive and thrive. The water could be fresh water but equally it could be recycled water too, with thanks to the many residents and Tree Friends who are already supporting their local trees in this way.”
The news follows confirmation of earlier tree care survey work in the borough that showed that 90 per cent of newly planted trees successfully survived the summer’s high heat drought of 2022, with higher survival rates predicted for trees planted this year, with successful watering helping sustain these trees in the early and more vulnerable stages of their tree lives.
Residents are being reminded that tree watering is best ideally in the early morning or evening and that water previously used for washing up could be used instead of ‘fresh water’. Newly planted trees have been fitted with green watering bags, which can be filled up, allowing the water to drain slowly directly into the tree, making watering more effective.
Additionally, Tree Friends continue to work with the council to make sure that they trees are getting the best care they can get. Whether this is carrying out additional watering, removing basal growth, and even reporting issues that arise with certain trees, their invaluable assistance ensures that our trees remain healthy and continue to grow.
Further information about Tree Friends.
So far, 3750 trees in total have been planted as part of the Treemendous tree planting initiative, with a further 1250 being planted this coming winter.
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For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk.