A brand new tree has put down roots in South Kensington — and it’s a big one for London’s green campaigners.

TV wildlife star and proud “tree hugger” Chris Packham popped into SW7 today to help plant the two-millionth tree for urban charity Trees for Cities.

The young London plane sapling now stands on blustery Exhibition Road outside the world-famous Victoria & Albert Museum — replacing a tree that was knocked down by a car.

As Packham and invited guests, including Deputy Mayor of London Mete Coban, lowered the tree into a compost-and-wood-chip pit, cheers rang out from volunteers, while curious tourists gathered to watch.

In around 20 years’ time, the sapling will grow to match the impressive plane trees lining the street.

Wiping compost from his hands, Packham told The Citizen that the moment carried a deeper meaning in a currently troubled world.

“I think planting a tree is a gesture of hope more than anything else,” he said. “Our generation’s sort of messing things up — so we need to invest in the next generations. Putting trees in the ground is a long-term investment.”

The broadcaster admitted trees have always held a special place in his heart. “There’s a beech tree where I live that’s probably 350 years old. I go there and it puts me in my place. It humbles me,” he said thoughtfully. “And I sit under it thinking — if trees could talk, imagine the stories they could tell. All the first kisses, the arguments, everything that’s happened beneath it.”

And TV and radio presenter Qasa Alom added: “I’ve seen first-hand how Trees for Cities engages and empowers urban communities in low tree equity areas to transform grey spaces into green, purposeful, nature-filled havens.”

Today’s planting milestone marks decades of work by Trees for Cities, which has planted millions of trees to cool city streets, improve biodiversity and clean polluted air.

Deputy Mayor Mete Coban said City Hall has planted 620,000 trees across London since Sir Sadiq Khan became mayor, adding: “We’re cleaning London’s air and improving access to nature.”

And Kate Sheldon, chief executive of Trees for Cities, called the moment a major landmark. “This shows what’s possible when people come together,” she said. “We want every community to benefit from greener, healthier neighbourhoods.”

And Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, deputy leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said the royal borough was proud to host the milestone tree. He said: “Our residents are proud of the green spaces, which provide a vital job, not only as the lungs of the city, but also as a welcome green space in a densely populated part of London. It’s wonderful that Trees for Cities’ two millionth tree is being planted here, on Exhibition Road and I’m happy to say that as a Council we’ve planted over 500 trees in the last four years ourselves.”

For now, the newest resident of Exhibition Road is just a slim sapling. But if all goes to plan, the two-millionth tree will be shading Londoners — and their stories — for generations to come.

Trees For Cities.org

Speeches before the grand planting in Exhibition Road

 

All photos ©RobMcGibbon/TheChelseaCitizen