The 1,000th new street tree in Hackney since 2018 has been planted in Shacklewell Row in Dalston, as part of the single largest investment in trees in the borough’s history.

5,000 new street trees are set to be planted in the borough by 2022 which forms part of the Council’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and respond to the Climate Emergency.

Marlborough Highways is Hackney Councils highways contractor and as well as improving footways, carriageways, street lighting and other works, are supporting Hackney Councils street tree team with tree planting across the borough.

Offering additional greenery, shade and benefits to mental health and wellbeing, the new street trees will see on-street canopy cover increase from 20% to 30% by 2022, playing an important role in filtering polluted air, sequestering carbon, providing more shade and reducing extreme temperatures in the summer and helping to mitigate local flooding.

Shacklewell Row is a great example of a street in Hackney which didn’t have a single tree prior to this initiative and now has 16. The five species planted include Betula Nigra, Prunus Accolade, Sorbus Torminalis, Acer Rubrum Bowhall and Prunus x Hillieri Spire, a mixture of native and non-native trees, ensuring that trees are appropriate for their setting, and resilient to pests and the changing climate.

The mix of species also means an increase in local biodiversity and that the trees are colourful throughout the year.

Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our street trees programme, which is not only a response to the Climate Emergency but now forms a part of our efforts to rebuild a greener Hackney in the wake of the pandemic, helping to lock-in carbon emissions, improve air quality and make our streets more pleasant places to be.

“Street trees bring incredible beauty to the borough, with often hidden benefits to our well being and I can’t wait to see the trees on Shacklewell Row bloom in spring, and look forward to seeing thousands of more new trees planted across the borough by next year.”