Teddington is already known as a leafy place to live but our town could soon be getting even more trees

This is because Richmond Council is spending nearly £1 million on re-planting trees across the borough.

The replacement scheme will take place over the next 3 years, with planting set to take place in 800 sites in Richmond upon Thames.

325 trees will be re-planted in the next season, which starts in November 2021.

The project, announced last week, is part of the Council's Climate Emergency Strategy.

It aims to increase tree coverage across the borough as well as replacing trees that were removed in the past 10 years.

Earlier this year a survey by OVO Energy showed that 27.04% of Richmond upon Thames is covered by trees, making it the London borough with the second-highest tree coverage. The winner was Brent, with 27.1% coverage.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee on the Council, said: "I am delighted that we are able to prioritise this extensive tree replanting programme as part of our climate emergency work.

"Sustainable tree planting forms an important part of Richmond Council's Climate Emergency Strategy.

"At present the borough is responsible for over 26,000 trees on our highways, in our cemeteries, parks and open spaces, and on Council property.

"This significant new funding allocation will allow the Council to maintain and add to the sites identified by the Council's survey as areas of opportunity for planting more trees.

"The tree maintenance programme can require the removal of certain trees if they are diseased or dying and pose a significant risk to the safety of the public. However, removal of trees is a last resort.

"This new planting programme will include replanting at sites where trees have been removed and where tree planting could mitigate the effects of climate change."

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