A total of £100,525 has been secured from the Forestry Commission's Urban Tree Challenge Fund to plant and maintain new trees on Kingston's streets.

The new trees will join around 12,000 existing council-maintained trees across Kingston's green spaces, streets and housing estates, bringing benefits for both people and nature. 

£32,680 of the funding has been used to create new tree pits and plant 112 new trees on Kingston's streets. 

The remaining funding will support ongoing maintenance and watering until the 2028/2029 financial year, helping ensure the trees become well established.

Councillor Ian Manders - portfolio holder for climate action, biodiversity and planning Policy said: "It's great that we were able to secure this funding to add even more trees across the borough. 

"As well as tackling climate change, trees cool our streets during warmer weather, filter air pollution and help reduce the impact of heavy rainfall by absorbing water.

"They also create vital habitat corridors, helping wildlife move throughout the borough.

Trees play a vital role in tackling climate change.

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Through photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store the carbon in their trunks, branches and roots while releasing oxygen into the air. As long as the tree lives, the carbon it stores remains locked away, helping to reduce the impacts of climate change.

The new trees are being planted in newly created tree pits across the borough and are all expected to be in place by the end of March:

• Addison Gardens & Lower Marsh Lane
• Canbury Gardens ward
• Durlston Road
• Ewell Road
• Fernhill Gardens
• Fullers Way North & South
• Kingston Town Centre
• Motspur Park & Old Malden East
• Mount Pleasant Road
• Red Lion Road

Visit the Kingston Council's website to find out how it manages council-owned trees on streets, in green spaces and on housing estates, and how you can get involved by sponsoring a new tree in your area.