Haringey is on track to plant a borough record of almost 1,500 trees this year as part of its efforts to tackle climate change and become a net zero borough.

The council has set out targets to increase canopy cover to 30 per cent in all wards and plant at least 10,000 trees by 2030 to kick start this process.

Planting season began in October 2022 with the transformation of a plot in White Hart Lane Recreation Ground into Haringey’s first tiny forest. The local community also came together in February 2023 to plant a small woodland in Perth Road Playing Fields.  Since January, the council has planted 140 street trees and is aiming for 450 in total across 2022-23.

This work has been made possible with support from key partners, including The Conservation Volunteers, Earthwatch, Trees for Streets and Friends groups, as well as the local community.

Cllr Mike Hakata, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport said: “I’m very proud that we are on schedule to plant 1,500 trees this year and want to thank our partners and the community for helping to make this a record for our borough.

“Trees play a pivotal role in creating a greener and healthier future by capturing climate-heating CO2, reducing air pollution and slowing the flow of rainwater, providing protection from flooding.

“We will be planting thousands more trees whilst doing all we can to protect the mature and veteran trees of the borough.”

To help with this planting push, the council has expanded its trees team from two to seven, with an officer dedicated to planting and another to the developing Urban Forest programme.

Biodiversity and climate resilience is also being addressed through a meadow planting programme, the upcoming co-produced community green spaces programme, rainwater gardens and other flood management programmes, as well as the work to protect and enhance the borough’s ancient woodlands.