Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s Street Tree scheme has planted its 20,000th tree. The initiative is intended to improve the aesthetic of congested roads, boost air quality and ‘maintain London’s status as one of the greenest and leafiest cities’.

4 March 2015 – Today, the Mayor’s Street Tree scheme marks the planting of a record number of 20,000 trees along London’s roads. Aimed at brightening up congested high roads and enhancing the environment, this is a huge milestone in the scheme which has resulted in a variety of trees such as birches and oaks being planted across London boroughs.

Street trees are planted on pavements and along highways to clean the air, keep the city cooler in the summer and increase green space. Boroughs have all seen a huge increase in the number of trees appearing along their streets in the past year, with 300 in Lambeth, 400 in Islington and over 1,000 in Ealing.

Matthew Pencharz, the Mayor’s Senior Advisor on Environment and Energy planted the 20,000th new tree today in Streatham – a Prunus Royal Burgundy, chosen to add a splash of colour to the residential road. This is one of 600 trees delivered in the area over the past two years by the scheme. He was joined by the Streatham Bridge Business Association, a collective of community groups who have received a total of £135,000 from the Mayor’s fund to help brighten up Streatham – including 48 along Streatham High Road, where new trees are transforming the area .

Matthew Pencharz said: “This is a fantastic scheme that has improved the aesthetic of busy streets across the capital. The 20,000th tree symbolises the amazing work carried out by local businesses, boroughs and individuals passionate about improving their area. By planting thousands of trees, we are making the air cleaner and ensuring a better quality of life for Londoners.”

Anthony Ellis, a spokesman for the Streatham Bridge Business Association said: “Working cooperatively with Lambeth Council and Transport for London, the Street Tree Initiative has contributed to the renewal of three large public places in Streatham, and planted trees on more than sixty residential streets. Streathamites will benefit from this new streetscape for decades to come.”

The Mayor’s Street Tree Initiative, in partnership with the Forestry Commission and Groundwork London, is part of the Mayor’s commitment to maintain London’s status as one of the greenest and leafiest cities and encourage London individuals, businesses and community groups to plant more trees.

Craig Harrison, London Manager for the Forestry Commission, said “The Mayor’s Street Trees will improve London’s landscape now and for generations to come – not only making streets more attractive but providing other benefits such as shade and air quality improvement.”

This is part of the Mayor’s wider plans to make London a greener city including delivering 100 Pocket Parks and funding tree and woodland projects via the Community Grant Scheme which is engaging communities and volunteers across London. The Mayor leads the RE:LEAF partnership of organisations involved in London’s trees and woodlands, and through this partnership has delivered a range of projects including planting 10,000 trees in Ealing last December.

For further information, please visit www.london.gov.uk