Winkworth Blackheath, Chislehurst & Greenwich supported the planting of 2,400 climate resilient trees & 600 school trees across the UK in 2021 - 2022.

Climate resilient treescapes for the future have been created across the UK thanks to support from Winkworth Blackheath, Chislehurst and Greenwich. In partnership with GreenTheUK and the Royal Forestry Society, these trees have been planted in Hampshire, Norfolk and Buckinghamshire. In this report, learn more about the plans for the individual sites and interesting facts about the species planted at each. Once complete, a separate report is to follow on their local school planting.

Thanks to Winkworth Blackheath, Chislehurst and Greenwich, these trees will increase each woodland’s resilience to pests, diseases and/or climate change. The sites will transform into habitats where our local wildlife can flourish. Improving biodiversity and carbon sequestration are key benefits of this scheme.

Tree Species Planted:

1,000 trees planted in Hampshire, England

The trees in this Hampshire woodland have been badly affected by the deadly tree disease Ash Dieback. To make matters worse, the rest of the woodland is dominated by beech trees, which are one of the species that are particularly susceptible to drought. Occurrences of droughts in the UK are expected to increase as the Climate Emergency progresses and so non-drought resistant strains of beech trees may not survive. The dead and dying trees in this woodland will be replaced with a mix of conifers and broadleaf trees that have been chosen specifically for their resistance to disease and climate change.

100 Trees Planted

Atlantic Cedar: Cedrus Atlantica

The Atlantic or Atlas Cedar is a large evergreen tree that is native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria, and often grows high above sea level. This tree is conical in shape when it starts to grow, but broadens out in later life as its leaves spread. The essential oil extracted from this cedar’s bark is popular with aromatherapists, who use it to help treat a wide range of ailments.

100 Trees Planted

Beech: Fagus Sylvatica

If the oak is the king of British trees, then the beech is its queen. A dense canopy of leaves provides a rich habitat for all sorts of insects, its seeds are popular with mice and squirrels, and hole-nesting birds make their homes in beech trunks. Some of the UK’s tallest native trees are beeches, including one that stands at over 44m tall on the National Trust's Devil's Dyke Estate in West Sussex.

100 Trees Planted

Black Walnut: Juglas Nigra

The black walnut was introduced to Europe from the United States in the 17th century and now thrives in sunny, mostly southern, parts of Britain. It is allelopathic, which means its roots release a chemical preventing many other plants from growing nearby, giving the black walnut an advantage. Its nuts are edible and make a popular snack, while medicines and tinctures have been made from various parts of the tree to treat a range of ailments.

50 Trees Planted

Coast Redwood: Sequoia Sempervirens

Coast redwoods are amongst the oldest living things on Earth, with some dating back over 2,000 years. This giant of the forest can grow to over 100m tall with a trunk around 9m thick. Older coast redwoods are remarkably fire resistant because they have very thick bark which acts as a protective shell; an important quality in this tree’s native California, where forest fires are often a threat.

100 Trees Planted

Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga Menziesii

Douglas fir was first introduced to the UK from North America in the 1800s. These fragrant evergreen members of the pine family can live for up to 1,000 years, but are often cut down for use as Christmas trees. Douglas fir timber has lots of commercial uses, including furniture, flooring and decking, for example.

125 Trees Planted

Hornbeam: Carpinus Betulus

The hornbeam is extremely tough and keeps its leaves all year round, making it an attractive proposition for birds, insects and other animals. Hornbeam wood is very hard, in fact it is also known as “ironwood” and the Romans recognised its durability, using it to make their chariots. Nowadays, this timber is used for tool handles, coach wheels, parquet flooring and chess pieces!

50 Trees Planted

Japanese Red Cedar: Cryptomeria Japonica

The Japanese red cedar is a low-maintenance evergreen conifer that grows well in parks and gardens and thrives in moist, well-drained soil. It has distinctive red-brown bark which peels off in strips, and it can grow as tall as 70m. It is known as “Sugi” in Japan, where it is the national tree, but despite its name, it is not actually a true cedar; its closest relative is the giant sequoia.

100 Trees Planted

Norway Spruce: Picea Abies

This fast-growing evergreen conifer can live for as long as 1000 years and grows to a height of up to 40m. It has red-brown cones, which are the largest of any spruce tree. In 1848, Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert introduced the custom of decorating a Norway spruce for Christmas, and it has been a popular festive tree choice in the UK ever since.

100 Trees Planted

Western Red Cedar: Thuja Plicata

The western red cedar’s strength is celebrated in Native American cultures, and it attracts and shelters many species of birds and insects. Its timber is extremely durable, making it a good source of building materials. If you take a bit of western red cedar foliage and crush it between your fingers, it gives off a sweet smell like pineapple.

75 Trees Planted

Wild Pear: Pyrus Communis

Pear trees have been grown in orchards and gardens across the UK since the end of the 10th century. This tree can live for a long time - around 250 years - so ancient Chinese people believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality. Pear trees are popular with both humans and insects; birds enjoy snacking on the fruit, while bees sip nectar from the flowers.

100 Trees Planted

Wild Service: Sorbus Tormentalis

This deciduous tree has broad leaves which look a little like those of the maple and start off bright green, before turning red and falling in the autumn. The wild service is becoming increasingly rare, but grows best in the UK’s ancient woodlands near oak or ash trees. You’ll find wild service trees growing on the British Prime Minister’s country estate in Buckinghamshire, which is named after its fruits, “Chequers”.

88 trees planted in Norfolk, England

The trees planted here have been specially selected for their genetic ability to survive the predicted weather conditions that will be brought about by climate change over the next 50 -80 years. Douglas fir trees take about 50 years to reach maturity and oak trees will take over 100 years. All this time these trees will be taking carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away. Timber from Douglas fir and oak can be used by future generations for building (where it will continue to store carbon) and new trees can be planted in their place.

36 Trees Planted

English Oak: Quercus Robur

Also known as the common or English oak, this is the undisputed king of the woods, supporting more wildlife species than any other native tree in the UK. “Robur” in this oak’s Latin name means “strength” and “hard timber” because this tree produces incredibly durable wood which can be used to make many things, including furniture and flooring. The oak has been considered sacred by many gods in mythology throughout the ages.

52 Trees Planted

Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga Menziesii

1,412 trees planted in Buckinghamshire, England

The deadly tree disease, ash dieback, has badly affected this Buckinghamshire woodland. Dead and dying ash trees will be replaced with wild cherry and small-leaved lime and eight other broadleaved species of trees will be added to improve the woodland’s value to local wildlife.

40 Trees Planted

Beech: Fagus Sylvatica

50 Trees Planted

Blackthorn: Prunus Spinosa

This small, thorny tree grows to around 5m tall and can be used in hedgerows. Its fruit - the sloe berry - looks a little like a small plum or damson and can be made into jam, jelly or even sloe gin. The blackthorn had a sinister reputation in mythology, where it was associated with witches.

11 Trees Planted

Buckthorn: Rhamnus Cathartica

This small tree is also known as the “purging blackthorn” because of the laxative effects of its berries, which are mildly poisonous to humans. It grows across England and southern Wales, providing pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Buckthorn is the sole food plant of the brimstone butterfly.

11 Trees Planted

Crab Apple: Malus Sylvestris

Crab apple trees grow throughout Europe and can live for up to a century, reaching a height of around 10m. This tree is traditionally associated with love and marriage, and it is said that if you say the name of your lover while throwing crab apple pips into a fire, then your love is true if the seeds explode! Crab apples can be made into jelly, roasted and added to drinks, or served as an accompaniment to meat.

11 Trees Planted

Dogwood: Cornus Alba

Dogwood thrives on the edges of damp woodlands and in hedgerows, so Britain’s wet climate really isn’t a problem for this fast-growing shrub. Mature dogwood trees can grow as high as 10m, with small blue-black fruits and little white flowers. It is one of the hardest woods there is, and was used to make crucifixes including - it is said - that of Jesus.

11 Trees Planted

Dog Rose: Cornus Alba

This pale pink hedgerow staple uses its thorns to clasp onto other plants and grow stronger. According to Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, the plant is so-called because its root was once believed to cure the bite of a rabid dog. Rose hip oil is a popular ingredient in skincare products, and can also be used to make a syrup that is rich in vitamin C.

130 Trees Planted

English Oak: Quercus Robur

76 Trees Planted

Field Maple: Acer Campestre

This species is the UK's only native maple and is often grown as an ornamental tree in large gardens and parks, as well as in woods and hedgerows. Its wood is white, hard and strong, and is popular for making furniture, flooring and musical instruments, especially harps. Field maple flowers are hermaphrodite, meaning each flower contains both male and female reproductive parts.

11 Trees Planted

Guelder Rose: Viburnum Opulus

If you spot this deciduous shrub when you’re out and about, it probably means you’re passing through an ancient habitat. The guelder rose is one of the national symbols of Ukraine, where it is known as “kalyna” and represents fertility, youth and beauty. Guelder rose berries are an important source of food for birds, while hoverflies enjoy this plant’s flowers.

280 Trees Planted

Hawthorn: Crataegus Monogyna

Hawthorn is very much associated with the month of May, and the appearance of its bright, white flowers heralds the change from spring to summer. It is prolific in hedgerows, scrub and woodland throughout the UK and Ireland, and a single tree can grow as tall as 10m. In pagan times, hawthorn was a symbol of marriage and fertility, but in the Middle Ages, it was never brought into homes, as people believed it was a harbinger of illness and death.

76 Trees Planted

Hazel: Corylus Avellana

The common hazel is native to Europe and western Asia and forms an important part of England’s hedgerows. We have all heard of hazelnuts, which are rich in unsaturated fats and protein, and an extremely popular ingredient in many of the world’s cuisines. Did you know that hazel trees were once seen as both magical and a symbol of fertility?

140 Trees Planted

Hornbeam: Carpinus Betulus

40 Trees Planted

Italian Alder: Alnus Cordata

This tree grows quickly (about a metre per year in its early years) until it reaches a height of around 25m. It can thrive even when conditions aren’t particularly favourable and is often used to improve the quality of reclaimed land. Not only that, it is often planted as a windbreak. The Italian alder's leaves are glossy, dark green and heart-shaped.

90 Trees Planted

Norway Maple: Acer Platinoides

The deciduous Norway maple can be found all over Europe and was introduced to Britain in the 17th century. Caterpillars love its broad, pointy leaves, which are dark green at the start of the year before turning yellow and red in the autumn. This tree grows up to 25m tall, and birds and small mammals eat its seeds, while bees and insects sip from its bright green flowers.

11 Trees Planted

Giant Redwood: Sequoiadendron Giganteum

These majestic trees can live for over 3,000 years and are very resistant to pests and diseases because they have tannin in their bark. Their bark is also spongy which makes them fire resistant; in fact they need heat to reproduce, as it opens up their cones and helps their seeds to disperse. The largest giant redwood in the world is named “General Sherwood” and stands over 84m tall and 11m wide in the Sequoia National Park in California.

195 Trees Planted

Small-Leaved Lime: Tilia Cordata

Its heart-shaped leaves may be small, but this tree is large and sturdy, growing to around 20m tall. Lime wood is used to make piano keys, and its bark can be made into rope. During rationing in World War Two, people made an infusion from crushed lime leaves as a substitute for tea, which was tricky to get hold of.

11 Trees Planted

Spindle: Euonymus Europeaeus

You’ll find this striking, brightly-coloured flowering plant in hedgerows and forests all over Europe. The spindle is also a very popular addition to parks and gardens, because of its pink and orange fruit and foliage which turns red in the autumn. Its wood is hard and dense, making it the ideal choice for the manufacture of spindles and skewers, and the discovery of spindle wood at Bronze Age burial sites means man has been using it for thousands of years.

11 Trees Planted

Wayfairing Tree: Viburnum Lanata

This tree is a popular feature of hedgerows and woodland edges and got its name as it grows close to paths. It produces oval berries which start off red, then turn black, and are a good source of food for birds. When the preserved body of a hunter from 4000 BC was found in the Alps, the arrows in his quiver were made from wayfaring tree twigs.

40 Trees Planted

Whitebeam: Sorbus Aria

The whitebeam is quite rare in the wild, but is a popular addition to parks and gardens across the UK. It has creamy-white flowers which appear in late spring, then develop into bright red berries by the autumn. The berries are also known as “chess apples” in some parts of England; they are edible when almost rotten and can be made into jelly.

11 Trees Planted

Wild Pear: Pyrus Communis

11 Trees Planted

Wild Privet: Ligustrum Vulgare

This bushy, deciduous shrub is native to the UK and Europe. It was a regular feature in Elizabethan gardens and is still very popular with gardeners today, as well as being found in hedgerows and on the edge of woodlands. It has white flowers which bloom in June, before small black berries - which are extremely poisonous to humans but popular with birds - appear in the autumn.