Local people from across the borough are being welcomed to the first ever Ealing Tree Festival, which takes place this weekend (28-29 May 2022).
Ealing Council is teaming up with the environmental charity Trees for Cities (TfC) and the Heathrow Community Trust to bring the festival to two of the borough’s most beautiful green spaces, Southall Park on Saturday, 28 May, and Litten Nature Reserve on Sunday, 29 May.
It is the ideal event to celebrate Ealing’s urban trees and residents of all ages are encouraged to drop by and take part in a range of fun activities and find out about the many types of trees found in Ealing.
At both sites, there will be free workshops throughout the day between 10am – 3pm, including:
- Tree walks and nature trails: learn about urban trees and their benefits
- Ask our tree doctors: a Q&A session with our ‘Tree Doctors’ and find out tips and tricks to maintain greenery
- Visit the craft area: create nature masks, bird boxes and bug hotels or produce your own ‘tree wish’ using natural craft materials
- Poetry workshops and storytelling: learn about soil secrets and wildlife through literature and art. Eclectic artist Giovanna Lorio’s sensory poems will also be installed amongst the trees at both sites.
- Market place: check out Ealing’s local businesses at the market stalls
- Live music: London’s most requested Calypso steel band, The Carribé Steel Band, will be performing on the Saturday! Listen and boogie as they transport us to white sand beaches and palm tree streets with their authentic Caribbean acoustic steel pan sound.
There is no need to book in advance and you can simply turn up on the day with friends and family.
The council and TfC have worked together in partnership since 2016 to plant and establish over 47,000 trees across multiple sites in the borough, engaging with thousands of residents and community groups.
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, cabinet member for climate action said: “The first ever Ealing Tree Festival is sure to be a fun and educational event for local people of all ages. I encourage families to pop down to Southall Park and Litten Nature Reserve this weekend and get involved in the action.
“Trees play such an important role in creating a beautiful neighbourhood and enhancing our local ecosystem and biodiversity. They also provide everything from shade, flood protection and drainage, to a greener and calmer environment which aids people’s mental wellbeing.
“We are delighted to continue our work with TfC as we tackle the climate emergency with an ambitious local strategy that includes planting 50,000 trees and increasing tree canopy to 25% of the borough.”
Full details on both dates of the Ealing Tree Festival can be found online at the TfC website:
