Residential streets in the Brighter Borough are to become even more green and leafy with the planting of more than 1,150 new trees in the coming months.
This winter 677 new trees will be planted in streets, parks and housing estates. Of this total 512 will be planted in residential areas. At least 500 more street trees will be planted next year.
The council looks after more than 60,000 trees in its parks, commons and open spaces while around 16,000 grow in streets and on housing estates.
By this time next year the number of street trees will have risen to nearer 17,000.
Species being planted this winter and next include London plane, cherry, lime, pear, crab apple, rowan, oak, hazel, whitebeam, maple, hornbeam and birch.
The current programme builds on the town hall’s long standing policy of promoting greenery in residential areas.
Many street trees are monitored by local tree wardens. Wandsworth was one of the first urban councils in the country to establish a network of wardens – ordinary members of the public who act as the eyes and ears of the town hall by keeping a close watch on the health and well-being of trees in their neighbourhood.
Environment spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “We are seeing a big expansion in tree planting across the whole borough. Many residential areas will benefit from this welcome extra greenery.
“As well as making our residential areas look much more attractive, the trees will also offer great habitats for birds, bees and other forms of wildlife.
“Wandsworth already has a well deserved reputation for being one of London’s greenest boroughs. Planting this many new trees demonstrates our commitment to making our borough an even better place to live.”