Trees for Cities is an independent charity which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up as Trees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities aims to beautify cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas.
Trees for Cities manages projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Ica, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of the charity’s landscaping projects and involves local residents, schools and community groups to help ensure the sustainability of green spaces.
The Great Trees of London initiative grew out of the devastating Great Storm of 1987. To mark the storm's tenth anniversary in 1997, the tree officers for the London boroughs, the Government’s Countryside Agency, and the Evening Standard invited Londoners to nominate the capital's Great Trees.
To gain Great Tree status, a tree had to be publicly accessible and to meet at least one of three criteria: historical significance, landmark location; and physical character. All nominations were judged by an expert panel, and The Dorchester Plane became one of the first Great Trees.
A book celebrating the Great Trees of London, including The Dorchester Plane, was published by Time Out in 2010.
To find out more about the charity and to buy the Time Out book, please visit www.treesforcities.org
Charity registration number 1032154.