Win your own tree and help borough flourish
RESIDENTS have the chance to win their very own tree in a competition launched during London Tree Week which runs until June 5.
Tree lovers can stop by one of 12 special trees featured in Hillingdon Council’s Little Book of Important Trees, where they’ll find the secret competition plaque - on or near each tree - with a QR code and web address for entry into the competition. There is also the option of taking and uploading a ‘tree selfie’ for the chance to win bonus prizes.
A winner will be picked at random when the competition ends on August 31, with prizes awarded at the annual Autumn Show in September. The prize tree can be planted in the winner’s garden or in one of Hillingdon’s green spaces close by. There will also be special tree-themed children’s prizes and prizes for the best tree selfie.
Hillingdon is one of the capital’s greenest boroughs, so the council is especially invested in preserving its trees and well understands the benefits they bring.
Trees and Woodlands Officers are leading guided walks for London Tree Week in Cranford Park today (Wednesday) and Bayhurst Wood on Saturday showing people and talking about the special trees planted there.
The council is responsible for the management of approximately 16,000 street trees, 5,500 housing estate trees and many thousands of park trees. They also control the management of thousands of privately-owned protected trees.
The council’s tree replacement policy ensures that the trees they remove are replaced during planting season, from November to March.
Cllr Bianco, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, said: “Hillingdon Council is committed to keeping our trees safe by pruning, pollarding and where necessary removing trees - but we always replant to recover losses.
“There are trees in the borough that are over 500 years old, which is quite remarkable if you think about it. London Tree Week is great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the borough’s top trees.”
Find out more about Hillingdon’s trees and London Tree Week at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/ trees.