Schoolchildren and volunteers help London’s tree ring take root
Schoolchildren in Sutton have helped plant a small forest in their local recreation ground, one practical step towards a greener ring around London.
New reporting from Positive News describes how Glenthorne High School pupils and council tree wardens worked with CPRE London at Reigate Avenue recreation ground. They planted native trees close together in soil enriched with fungi to help roots take up nutrients.
Project director Phil Paulo says the planting has established well despite dry conditions and limited irrigation. Elsewhere on London’s south-west edge, a countryside skills provider helped plant 1,500 trees, including disease-resistant elm.
CPRE London’s project account explains the groundwork: potential sites suggested by residents and London’s environmental records centre were assessed for suitability. Demonstration projects include orchards, tree nurseries and hedgerows.
The proposed 200km corridor remains a 25-year ambition. These early accounts do not establish city-wide cooling or biodiversity gains.
But local people are already learning to plant and care for trees together, giving the longer-term vision roots in places they know.
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