Lambeth is planting almost 2,500 trees across the borough

In this winter’s planting season, the council planted 1,728 trees of a variety of species to enhance biodiversity and increase tree cover, cooling Lambeth on the hottest days and contributing to a more sustainable place to live and work.

The number of new trees exceeds the original target of around 1,100 new trees this year after a very busy planting season by Lambeth Council’s tree team, who prioritized locations based on climate risk and low tree cover at present.

The council’s Urban Forest Strategy outlines the steps the council will take over the next three years to plant more than 5,000 trees in highways, estates and parks, open spaces and churchyards.

Deputy Leader Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said: “I am delighted with the efforts of our tree teams who have been so busy planting more trees than in any year in recent memory.

“We have exceeded our original planting target and are now ahead of schedule to ensure 5,000 new trees are planted before spring 2026.

“Increasing the number of trees in Lambeth benefits everyone. They provide cover for shade on the hottest days of the year, while also helping to deal with rainwater runoff during heavy rains. They increase biodiversity and provide habitats for birds and animals.”

Lambeth Council already manages over 40,000 trees of 320 species and carries out regular checks to ensure existing trees are healthy and free from disease. Trees are only cut where necessary for public safety reasons.

The Urban Forest Strategy sets out the principles that decide how many trees are planted in different locations.

Cllr Chowdhury added: “Our tree team have been extremely busy this year managing and maintaining existing trees to ensure they are healthy and thriving, also taking action where necessary to remove dead or dying which represents a danger”.