Council plants 700th tree of the year to help create cleaner, greener, healthier future for Islington

As part of its efforts to tackle the climate emergency, the council is on a mission to revitalise Islington’s streets, parks, and open spaces to make them as environmentally-friendly as possible.   

Although Islington already has an impressive canopy cover of 25% - significantly higher than the England average of 16% - the council is determined to continue its ambitious tree planting programme.   

That’s why the council has helped plant 700 trees between March 2021 and March 2022, significantly above the annual target of 430 trees per year. The landmark 700th tree, a six-metre tall, young Honey Locust, was planted at Barnard Park, where it can be enjoyed by park users.   

More than 150 of the 700 trees planted this year have been donated from the Forest for Change exhibition at Somerset House. This was made possible by local group Islington Clean Air Parents, who initiated this project and raised over £15,000 to cover the transportation and after-care of the trees through crowdfunding, a grant from Project Rome, and councillors' donated Local Initiative Funds. Islington Council has supported the project with the planting of the trees, and their long-term maintenance

Barnard Park, one of the borough’s most popular green spaces, is also set to be benefit from a new, approximately 400 square metre Miyawaki forest (or mini-forest), which is understood be more biodiverse than other kinds of woods. A total of 1,200 whips, of 24 native species, will be planted in the mini-forest, which will increase biodiversity and act as a mini haven for wildlife.   

The mini-forest will act as a space for local people to enjoy, and for local schools to use as an educational tool. It will also have significant environmental benefits, ensuring carbon storage while helping to remove nitrogen dioxide and the air pollutant PM2.5. 

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We’re on a mission to reimagine Islington’s streets, parks and green spaces, to create the cleaner, greener, healthier borough that local people have long called for, and to help address the climate emergency.   

“Planting trees is such an important element of our bold and ambitions plans to green the borough, as trees remove pollutants from the air, provide cooling at street level, and help make the borough’s urban environment a more pleasant place for all.   

“Our vision for Islington’s streets, parks and green spaces is bold and ambitious, and the 700th tree we’ve planted this year is a symbol of our commitment to tackling climate change.”  

Lucy Facer from Islington Clean Air Parents said: "Islington Forest for Change trees have significantly boosted the number of trees planted in the borough this year. The strong support the project received from the community demonstrates the desire for more trees in our neighbourhoods.

"We’d like to thank the council green team who have worked extra hard this year getting all these trees planted and hope our successful collaboration leads to an even more ambitious tree planting target for next year.”

As well as continuing its ambitious tree planting programme, the council is taking other steps to reimagine public spaces and make Islington cleaner, greener, and healthier.   

Earlier this month, the council launched ​the Islington Greener Together programme, which gives local people, businesses and community groups the opportunity to apply for council funding to bring their own green ideas to life. The council will install the green ideas with residents, and provide them with support to make the most out of their new green spaces.   

The council is also installing new street planters in its people-friendly streets neighbourhoods, and Islington in Bloom, the borough’s favourite horticultural competition, is set to return very soon to encourage local people to reap the mental and physical health benefits of gardening.