New Charity Project Enables Worthing Residents To Plant Trees Outside Their Homes

Sunday, 2 July 2023 06:00

Residents, businesses and community groups in Worthing can now sign up for a national street tree sponsorship scheme - Trees for Streets.

It is a charity-led initiative whereby locals can request to sponsor a street tree, at a location of their choosing, via the Trees for Streets website.

Neighbours can also club together to fund new trees.

There is also the option to sponsor a tree in a nearby park. A tree can be planted as a tribute to a loved one, or in celebration of a wedding, anniversary or other special occasion.

Trees for Streets works in partnership with Worthing Council to get the trees planted, tree sponsors then take on the watering.

Sponsor a tree in three simple steps

Visit treesforstreets.org/worthing to choose a location for a new tree, answer a few simple questions about it, and submit your sponsorship details. The rest is taken care of for you.
The council will survey the location to check for suitability.
If acceptable, a 3-4 metre ‘instant-impact’ tree will be planted, during November and April.

Why are urban trees so important?

Tree cover in England is amongst the lowest in Europe. This impacts resilience to the climate crisis and air quality. Air quality in coastal towns can be particularly affected during the summer, with the increase in car emissions, as more visitors head to the beach for their holidays.

More trees can help improve air quality, make communities more resilient to climate change and also keep us cool. Street trees provide shade on hot days and cool the air through a process called evapotranspiration.

As we head into the hottest months of the year, with more heatwaves on the horizon, urban trees act as natural air conditioners.

Street trees offer huge benefits for our health and wellbeing too. They make us feel better, encourage exercise, and bring communities together. Plus, they make our neighbourhoods more beautiful and welcoming.

Simeon Linstead, Project Director for Trees for Streets, said:

“Trees breathe life into our streets. They transform them. By working in partnership with Worthing Council, our aim is to empower locals to make their neighbourhoods greener and healthier.”

To sponsor a tree, visit treesforstreets.org/worthing