London Trees

Its a wonderful life - for Lambeth trees. A few days ago, I was sitting at my desk here at home in Streatham, South London, daydreaming in a freelance writerish kind of way, which generally involves staring catatonically out of the window for several minutes before wandering downstairs for another reckless overdose of fresh coffee and chocolate digestives.

My first-floor office affords me a panoptic view of two intersecting streets in what is generally considered (mistakenly in my opinion) "a leafy South London suburb." But just as I began pondering the singular absence of trees in our road, I realised that at some point during the last couple of weeks someone had discreetly planted a few spindly young trees in designated holes in the pavement. This daring piece of clandestine arboriculture by the enlightened folks at Lambeth Parks and Gardens Department must have been achieved in one of those all too frequent moments while I was downstairs raiding the biscuit tin.

Then I noticed something dangling from of one of these anaemic saplings and so ventured outside to take a closer look. Now there are parts of South London where you need full body armour and a .44 Magnum to get you safely to Waitrose, but my street is more like a set from a Frank Capra movie.

The sign on the tree said: "When the weather is hot I will require extra water (recycled water is fine!). Watering first thing in the morning or at dusk is best. I am being watered by Council contractors but need extra help in the summer months." Lambeth Parks & Greenspaces (Tree Section) How fantastic is that?

Now I can gaze absent-mindedly out of the window and instead of nipping downstairs for regular infusions of coffee and calorific munchies, I can stroll jauntily across the street like Jimmy Stewart, my watering-can full of recycled bath water, and irrigate the Streatham saplings. I see a long, hot, glorious summer stretching ahead. Life is good.
Tom Flynn


Westminster City Council's parks service is intending to beat this summer's drought by planting trees normally found in sunnier Mediterranean climates, bringing a touch of Tuscany and Provence to the heart of London. So far around twelve palm trees (Butia (from Brazil) and Trachycarpus (from China)) have been planted in large pots on the traffic roundabout next to Marble Arch, half a dozen olive trees in Brooks Mews, Mayfair and half a dozen mimosa or acacia trees in Marylebone. All of these species do not require much water and can survive in dry conditions. Fears that global warming is leading to drier, hotter climates could now accelerate the trend for planting flora more suited to southern Europe or beyond and make such species a more attractive option for local authorities.

David Kerrigan, Westminster Council’s Head of Parks and Leisure Services said: “Trees and shrubs like palms and olives are ideal for planting in the centre of London as they require relatively little care and attention and are extremely water efficient. However, this does not mean we will be abandoning our traditional native trees, which we will continue to plant in appropriate locations."