Council plea to water young trees

4.28.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Aug 2006

Council plea to water young trees

An urgent appeal to residents to help the borough's young trees survive the summer drought has been issued by Richmond Council.

Newly planted trees are regularly watered by Council contractors but are suffering during the current prolonged spell of hot weather and low rainfall.

And with the continued threat of Thames Water issuing a commercial drought order, which would prevent contractors watering the saplings, the Council's Tree Section is calling on local people to help preserve the 1,400 trees planted by the Council in the last year.

Residents can collect rainwater from down pipes on their house, garage or greenhouse by plumbing in a water butt.

Another option is to recycle 'grey water' - water used for washing up, baths or washing machines. It will contain soap or detergents but as long as the water is left to cool, it will still benefit new street trees.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment on Richmond Council, said:

"We are expecting an official commercial drought order in early September and any help local people can give would be hugely beneficial to the trees' health.

"They can do this by collecting rainfall in water butts or reusing grey water to give nearby street trees a well-needed drink.

"The Council has planted hundreds of trees in recent years and I appeal to local people to help us keep Richmond upon Thames the greenest borough in London."

For more information please call the Council's Tree Section on 020 8891 7808 or visit www.richmond.gov.uk/trees.

Thames Water offers customers a discounted recycled water butt. For more information call 0845 9200 800 or visit the www.thameswater.co.uk.

Photo-call: Reporters and photographers are invited to a photo-call at the junction of Broom Road and Bucklands Road, Teddington, on Monday, 14 August at 10.30am. Cllr Martin Elengorn and officers from Richmond Council's Tree Section will attend.