ABOUT US
Our roots
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Herne Hill Tree Watch was formed in 2019 by two long-time residents:
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Paul Millington, from Red Post Hill. Paul chairs the Friends of Sunray Gardens, a historic little park that he and his team keep in beautiful condition with weekly gardening sessions and new trees and shrubs
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Jeff Segal, from Warmington Road. Jeff was until recently a furniture maker who milled his own timber from fallen London trees to save them from the chipper.
Our network
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We have around 100 volunteers across almost every street between Herne Hill/Denmark Hill in the north; Carver Road in the west; Sunray Avenue/Red Post Hill in the east; and Turney Road in the south
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We have street leaders on each of these roads who act as our main point of contact. They help organise watering and maintenance and involve residents in choosing new trees
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We have supporters across Southwark and in Lambeth too
Our aims
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To help Herne Hill’s street trees flourish
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To keep them safe and healthy
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To involve the community in their upkeep
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To expand the tree cover and fill gaps where trees have been lost
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To help meet these aims, our co-organisers Paul and Jeff meet or speak regularly with the council's Arboricultural Services Manager, Julian Fowgies, and his team
Our activities
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Watering saplings regularly so they can withstand heat and drought
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Pruning suckers and other growths around the base of mature trees
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Carrying out additional minor maintenance, like removing unwanted cages, stakes and ties
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Looking out for defects, damage, decay, disease, danger and general poor tree health
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Reporting issues to the council through regular surveys
Our programme
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To identify places where new trees are needed
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To request new trees from Southwark council and apply for funding
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To hold street visits where residents can point out problems and learn tree identification
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To expand our network of volunteers
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To keep them informed with monthly email newsletters
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To work with local societies and residents’ groups