Romford

When we heard on the national news that a council contractor had accidentally mown down thousands of new planted trees in Romford, we got in touch with the local council to see if there was anything we could do to help.

Working in partnership with Havering Borough Council, Protect Earth was able to come in and assist in the planting of 950 new trees and shrubs.

50 x Alder 100 x Aspen 50 x Blackthorn 50 x Hawthorn 50 x Hazel 50 x Oak 125 x Rowan 50 x Wild Cherry 50 x Goat willow 100 x Hornbeam 125 x Silver Birch 100 x Small leaved Lime 50 x Wild Service Tree

They were planted without stakes and guards, just like the ones they lost, but now the ride-on lawnmower drivers are well aware that the young saplings are there.

Havering Borough Council enjoyed our support on their previous site so asked us for our help again. They wanted to plant a massive 14,000 trees to create a few miniforests in a nearby park that was otherwise devoid of shade and wildlife.

This time, we left the council employees and local people to spend a week in March planting all of these mixed broadleaved saplings.

These miniforests will encourage quick growth from all the saplings as they jostle for light, creating a dense thicket of habitat for birds, mammals and invertebrates, greatly improving biodiversity in a rather barren area. As the trees grow they will cool the air passing through it which will benefit the nearby homes in the more regular intense summers we are now experiencing.