In a display of community spirit, Harrow residents have come together to enhance their neighbourhoods through the planting of 250 new trees, thanks to the national charity initiative, Trees for Streets.
This collaborative effort involving residents, local businesses, Harrow Council, and the Mayor of London has not only made the streets greener but has also created healthier and happier living spaces for the community.
The initiative, aptly named ‘Green My Street,’ encouraged locals and businesses to actively participate in the transformation of their surroundings. Utilising the interactive map on the Trees for Streets website, residents and businesses selected specific locations for new street trees. Requests ranged from filling gaps outside houses to beautifying local parks.
Once the requests were received, Harrow Council conducted surveys to ensure no obstructions like cables, pipes, or utility covers were present. Upon approval, sponsors’ donations were accepted, enabling the council’s contractors to plant new trees in the designated areas the following winter.
A significant aspect of this initiative was the residents’ voluntary involvement in watering the newly planted trees, which often proved to be the most costly aspect of tree establishment.
The initiative has highlighted the generosity and enthusiasm of Harrow residents. Individuals like Jenny, Steve, and Andrew sponsored trees outside their homes, contributing to the lush greenery of their surroundings.
Joint efforts were also visible, with neighbours like Mirhir and his companion, who sponsored trees together. The Radnor Residents Group stood out as local heroes by sponsoring an impressive 15 trees, effectively transforming their street into a arboretum.
Each tree sponsored bears a label indicating the caretaker, establishing a personal connection between the community and the newly planted greenery.
One particularly inspiring local resident went above and beyond, funding a staggering 16 trees over the past two years, significantly transforming her street and inspiring others to follow suit.
For those interested in contributing to this initiative and enhancing Harrow’s green landscape, an invitation has been extended to participate.
Whether it’s outside homes, local schools, or along bustling high streets, residents are encouraged to visit treesforstreets.org/harrow to sponsor trees.
To ensure planting this winter, sponsorship requests must be made by the end of November.
