Spring is often a time where nature is at its most active and green spaces are at their beautiful best. Ealing Council works to ensure that local flora is given the chance to flourish at every opportunity and has planted almost 9,000 trees across the borough in the last year alone.

It’s all part of the council’s ongoing efforts to improve the local environment and enhance green spaces for residents, as cabinet member for environment and highways, councillor Mik Sabiers explains: “Ealing rightly has a reputation as one of the greenest most beautiful borough’s in London and we want to ensure that we build on this in the future.

“That’s why we have committed to planting such a large number of trees as part of our efforts to green the borough’s parks and highways.

“Having lots of trees across Ealing is not only great for the environment and wildlife – it’s great for people too. We know that greener more pleasant streets encourage people to walk and cycle more and spend more time in local high streets and town centres.”

Tree planting is carried out every winter and the council looks to plant at least one tree for any removed due to health issues or because it has become hazardous.

The council’s tree service works to ensure that the species being planted in any one area will boost the local environment and local wildlife wherever possible, as councillor Sabiers continues: “We always aim to plant the largest tree species suitable for that particular place and look for opportunities to increase diversity – it’s also important to respect the historic character of the location.”

“These programmes will increase species diversity, canopy cover and biodiversity as well as providing vital ‘green corridors’ linking parks and open spaces. We are also asking residents to participate so if you are interested in making a difference in your local green space then please get involved.” 

Part of Ealing’s successful tree planting programme benefits from a partnership between the council and the Greater London Authority (GLA) which has launched new projects in four of Ealing’s parks – Belvue, Blondin, Pitshanger and North Acton Playing Fields.

• There are lots of opportunities to get involved with community projects across parks and open spaces in the borough. You could even get council support and funding if you would like to start one.
• Find out more about the council’s tree service
• There’s still time to get involved with the borough’s Great British Spring Clean and join a litter picking activity at one of your local parks. 
• Walpole Park in Ealing hosts a number of regular, family-friendly events to help people enjoy and engage with nature.