Million Trees Campaign
In June 2002, we launched a campaign for a million trees in London in time for the start of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games, which the capital desperately needs to counter pollution and green socially and environmentally deprived areas of the city. The campaign aims to encourage local residents to get involved in tree planting activities in various sites across London.
The London Tree Database was initiated as part of Trees for London's "Million Trees for London" campaign. We collate planting data from partner organisations each year in order to establish a record of all newly planted trees and to give an overall picture of tree planting activities in the capital.
In the sixth year since the launch of the Million Trees Campaign (planting seasons 2002/03 to 2007/08) a total of 460,000 new trees were planted in London. In June 2002 Trees for Cities launched the Million Trees Campaign to plant a million more trees in London by the start of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In Beijing it was estimated that over 25 million trees have been planted as a result of the Olympic Games. Trees for Cities is optimistic that the Olympics will have a positive impact on tree planting in London.
The Million Trees campaign has passed the 460,000 mark.
- In 2007-08, 36,700 new trees were planted across the capital, over 15,000 more than the year before.
- Trees for Cities planted an impressive 12,780 trees across 11 London boroughs including on schools, estates, parks and woodlands this year.
- There was an almost even split between native and non-native species planted.
- 49% of trees planted were non-native compared to 18% the year before. The switch to non-native species may reflect how trees more suited to warmer climates can now survive in London as a result of climate change.
- Sadly, it was confirmed that 9,200 trees were lost, 66% of these being street trees mainly felled due to disease and natural decline.
- Nearly half of the trees lost were between 30 to 50 years old and it is unlikely that all new trees planted will reach this ripe old age.
You can support the Million Trees Campaign by making a donation to Trees for Cities, volunteering or running the London, Leeds or Manchester Tree-Athlons.
For more information, please contact Michael Tiritas michael@treesforcities.org