Greenwich council to plant 500 new trees in the next year

Greenwich council has pledged to plant 500 young trees in 2022/23, to provide a supply of healthy new trees and make a greener borough. 

The new nursery has been created by converting a corner of the site in Eltham in a private area of Oxleas Woods called Holbrook Meadow, which was previously used for storing green waste.   

Greenwich councillor Averil Lekau said: “Growing young trees in our own nursery will mean we have a supply of beautiful trees available to plant across the borough.  

“We set a target to plant 2000 new trees by 2022, and we’re very proud to have beaten that target ahead of schedule. 

“As well as making the borough a greener and more attractive place, trees are an important part of our eco-climate that help to store carbon and protect from pollution.”

The trees were bought with a combination of grant funding from the Greater London Authority and council budget. 

The nursery is not open to the public to help protect the young trees whilst they grow. Residents will be able to visit and enjoy the trees when they are moved to their homes in sites around the borough.  

Cllr Adel Khaireh said: “We’re privileged to live in a borough with so much green space. Over the past four years, we’ve been investing £1.5million in improving our parks and green spaces.  

“To continue our work towards a greener borough, our aim is to double the number of new trees planted to 5,000 by 2026 and continue to invest in our parks.” 

Once they have grown, some of the new saplings will replace trees that did not survive the summer heatwave.

Residents of the borough can report trees that should be replaced by emailing parks@royalgreenwich.gov.uk with the location.  

Pictured top: Cllr Averil Lekau, left, and Cllr Adel Khaireh