A new avenue of fruit trees for London cyclists

March 15, 2010 - PRLog -- The tree planting charity Trees for Cities will be working in Southwark this month to plant over a thousand fruiting hedges and trees along the Green Dale cycle route.

The Green Dale route runs from East Dulwich Grove to Denmark Hill and is a popular commuter cycle path, as part of the London Cycle Network route 23 from East Croydon to the City of London.

At the southern end of the half-kilometre stretch, semi-mature crab apple trees of six to ten feet will be planted. They will be set against the large trees already in place, and act as a pollinating tree for the edible hedge. The new fruiting borders will provide cyclists with blossom in the spring and golden-coloured fruits on summer evenings and throughout the autumn for cyclists returning from the city.


More than a million Londoners own bikes, which they take on half a million journeys in the capital every day. A more environmentally friendly alternative to driving and some forms of public transport, the bicycle is also quicker for the majority of urban journeys and improves the rider’s health and wellbeing.

This is the third cycle path project Trees for Cities has undertaken, after projects in Leeds and Bristol to make routes into the cities greener and more attractive. The charity has planted more than 140,000 trees worldwide on streets, in parks, local woodlands and community projects.  It also works with urban communities to protect trees through volunteer projects including the Ancient Tree Hunt in London (www.ancienttreehunt.org.uk), a key initiative in the international year of biodiversity.

The new trees are funded by Southwark Council’s Grow Nuts campaign, and the Forestry Commission’s London Tree and Woodland Grant Scheme, delivered by Groundwork London.


Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive, said: “Rather than people feeling worried that they should be exercising more, we believe that one of the benefits of safe, green cities is that the inclination to exercise comes naturally.

“Our research has shown that walking or cycling to school or work is much more likely to be done when the route takes you through tree-lined streets or parks.

“We’ve been proud to be planting trees across the country, through individual donations and tree planting schemes, so that residents can enjoy their benefits for hundreds of years to come.”

Photo call

School children, local councillors and volunteers will plant crab apple trees, sloe hedges, blackberries and rose hips along the verges of the path. Press are invited to attend.

Time: 3pm, Friday 19 March
Location: Green Dale cycle route, at East Dulwich Grove end, SE22 8

For further information, or to confirm your attendance at the event or request photography, contact Stephen Gray, stephen.gray@treesforcities.org, 020 7820 4428


Notes to Editors

Trees for Cities is an independent charity which plants trees and landscapes public spaces in urban areas. The charity’s vision is to stimulate a greening renaissance in cities around the world that will impact on global warming and beautify the urban landscape, as well as encouraging greater social cohesion through the active participation of local people. A special effort is made to involve children and young people in all of the projects. The public can get involved by sponsoring trees, registering as a volunteer, enrolling in training programmes, taking part in the annual Tree-Athlon and going to fundraising parties – see www.treesforcities.org for more information.

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An independent charity which plants trees and landscapes public spaces in urban areas, to impact on global warming and beautify the urban landscape, encouraging greater social cohesion through the active participation of local people.