Community Tree Planting Takes Total of New Trees to Over 300 This Winter
- 356 new trees planted in Reading in the last three months
- Council remains well on schedule to plant 3,000 new trees by 2030
- Residents can now suggest where trees should be planted next winter
Two community tree planting sessions with resident groups last week brought the Council’s tree planting schedule to an end for the winter, taking the total number of new trees planted since December to over 300.
Last week three trees were planted at the Amersham Road Recreation Ground by users of the Weller Centre, the local community centre for Caversham, along with ward councillors, taking the total planted at the recreation ground this year to nine. This followed the planting of 18 cherry trees along the pathway through Westfield Recreation Ground to create a cherry tree-lined avenue through the park for the future.
And on Friday Councillors joined the Windrush Community Group to plant five palm trees on the Chatham Street roundabout. This was an emotional and proud moment for Reading’s Windrush community, including The Mayor of Reading who was also present as a proud descendant of the Windrush generation.
In total Reading Council has overseen the planting of 313 new trees across the borough this winter, along with an additional 43 planted to replace dead or felled trees, which totalled 356 new trees into the ground this season.
The total keeps Reading well on schedule for its target of 3,000 new trees on Council land by 2030. This was set four years ago, as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to Reading’s tree strategy which aims to increase canopy cover and make Reading greener.
Other notable planting sessions over the winter include 83 Acer Platanoides and English Oaks, at John Rabson Recreation Ground and a further 35 being planted along Shirley Avenue. All new trees are included in a two-year watering programme to help ensure they can grow healthily and become established.
Reading’s Tree Strategy, adopted in 2021, sits alongside the Council’s overarching Climate Change Strategy and plays a role in responding to the climate emergency. Planting an increasing number of trees helps absorb carbon dioxide from the air as Reading works towards becoming carbon neutral. It also reduces flooding and noise, improves wildlife habitats, provides needed shade against rising summer temperatures as well as improving the character and appearance of the town.
Areas all across the town have seen trees planted over the last three months – progress towards the Council’s aim of achieving at least 12% canopy cover in each of Reading’s 16 wards and overall canopy cover in the borough of at least 25%.
Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:
“Making Reading an attractive and more environmentally positive place for residents to live is a key ongoing activity for the Council. Our tree planting strategy is hugely ambitious, and planting 356 trees in just three months demonstrates our arboricultural team’s commitment to creating a greener Reading.
“We are always thrilled when people recognise the value of paying it forward for future generations when helping us to identify special locations for trees. The Windrush community is a hugely important part of our vibrant, diverse and inclusive town and this was a wonderful way to celebrate that community’s valuable contributions to Reading and to ensure that future generations know this history. The idea came about from a simple request made by a member of the community to Councillor Griffith, who suggested the idea before the tree list filled up this planting season.”
Anyone, an individual or a group, can request a tree to be planted in an area as part of our annual tree planting totals, with those suggestions taken on a first come, first served basis. Those requests also must take into account the suitability of the location, the need to balance our efforts across the town and our focus for planting into lower canopied wards and areas. The tree request list for next year is already open. If you or your group want to suggest where we might plant a tree to make Reading a greener place in the future, you can make that suggestion for next year by emailing streetscene@reading.gov.uk."