Tree planting

Help to boost the number of trees within the London Borough of Richmond.

Planting new trees

The climate emergency poses a significant challenge and trees play a key role in helping us to adapt to changing conditions. Thus, we are committed to increasing the benefits of trees through increasing the canopy cover across the borough.

Our tree planting season runs from November to the end of March each year. During this period, we undertake a programme of planting replacements for trees that have been lost, as well as planting trees in new locations. The list of planting locations for the 2024/25 planting season will be published here later in the year.

For more information on our commitment to tree planting, view:

• The Corporate Plan
• Climate Emergency 

Replacing removed trees

We are committed to re-planting, after tree removal, as part of the commitment within the Corporate Plan and in response to the Climate Emergency:

• When a tree is removed before 31 May, we aim to replant it in the next planting season, which runs from November of the year of removal, to March the following year 
• When a tree is removed after 31 May, we aim to replant it in the season after next, which runs from November of the year following removal to March of the year after that 
• Newly planted or young trees that fail or are damaged will be removed in the next available planting season, regardless of the removal date

Please contact us if you have a query about replacing trees.

After trees are removed the stumps are ground down and either a new pit is created straight away, or the pavement is repaired and temporarily paved over until the new pit can be created, in preparation for a new tree. Please note, tree stumps are not ground down immediately following removal. They are left in situ, at a specified height, so that they are not a trip hazard.

Tree planting suggestions and donations

Many residents like to make tree planting suggestions and sometimes, generously offer to make donations.

Whilst we greatly value and appreciate the importance of these suggestions and donations, we do not accept requests for tree species and tree planting locations, nor contributions toward the cost of tree planting.

However, we are currently conducting a borough wide survey of potential planting locations which will include your neighbourhood.

Please note that all trees are planted in accordance with the our sustainable planting tree policy, in which we aim to: 

• Plant the right tree in the right place and where appropriate this will give priority to planting native trees
• Plant within the location of the tree that has been removed. Where existing site constraints mean that this is not possible a tree will be planted in the nearest possible suitable location
• Encourage species and genetic diversity amongst its tree population to avoid risk of disease having widespread and damaging effects and to provide variety to those living in or visiting the Borough 

Commemorative trees

Sadly, we cannot plant or allow the planting of commemorative trees. This is because we cannot guarantee that the tree is going to establish or be free from vandalism, the result of which can be very distressing for the families involved. 

We do however run a commemorative benches scheme. For more information view Memorial seats in parks.