Trees for Cities

Trees for Cities Making trees matter where they're needed most 🌳💚 Our vision to plant trees in cities is global.

Trees for Cities is the only independent charity working on a global scale focussed entirely on planting urban trees, inspiring children to grow and eat good food and providing volunteering opportunities to bring local people together. However, we know the importance of a local focus – we empower and work with local people to strengthen their community. We are a game-changing, ambitious organisation which sets the standard for urban tree planting worldwide.

21/08/2026

We're curious...

Why do YOU want to see more trees in our towns and cities?

LIKE react for 'To fight climate change' 🌡️

LOVE react for 'To create habitats' 🐝

CARE react for 'To boost our wellbeing' 💚

HAHA react for 'To broaden access to nature' ⭐

As towns and cities across the UK face heatwaves and drought this summer, what's becoming increasingly apparent is this:...
19/08/2026

As towns and cities across the UK face heatwaves and drought this summer, what's becoming increasingly apparent is this: the communities that stand to benefit most from trees are often those with the fewest.

We want to change that.

Since 1993, we've been growing a Movement for Urban Trees and Tree Equity, so that cooler, cleaner, and more beautiful streets are less of a bonus and more of a baseline.

Will you join us in the fight for tree equity?

Link in comments to find out how 🔗

17/08/2026

Been feeling the heat lately? Imagine your street in 20 years 💭

This summer's heatwaves have made one thing clear: the cooler, greener, and more climate-resilient neighbourhoods we need tomorrow are created by the trees we plant and care for today; the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is NOW.

For more than 30 years, we've been planting trees where they're needed most, so that as many people as possible can experience the life-changing benefits of urban nature.

Because everyone deserves the shade of a tree, not just the shadow of a building 💚

Learn more via the link in the comments 🔗

13/08/2026

🌡️ Drought is here, and UK trees are under threat.

🥵 In our fifth heatwave of the year, after months of exceptionally hot, dry and record-breaking weather, urban trees are really, really struggling.

Leaves are turning brown early, larger trees are shedding branches, and some young trees are already dying. This isn’t normal.

Unlike mature trees, newly planted trees don't yet have the root systems needed to cope with weeks without rain. Without the right support, they could be lost.

Our Urban Forest team are out there right now, working tirelessly to protect our younger urban trees. We're increasing water volumes, trying out new watering techniques and watering mulch before it's added to tree roots to lock in moisture.

But we can't reach every urban tree out there. We need your help!

💧 Water a young tree today
If can, use greywater from your bath, shower or washing up bowl.

📣 Share if you care — every litre helps!

NB: The trees pictured were not planted by Trees for Cities.

Amid extreme heat, drought, and increasingly unpredictable weather, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the climate crisis,...
10/08/2026

Amid extreme heat, drought, and increasingly unpredictable weather, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the climate crisis, so we’ve rounded up a few reminders that there’s still hope for our planet 🌍

🍃 Don't forget to subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get planting updates, volunteering opportunities, noteworthy nature news, and tree facts you didn't know you needed straight to your inbox. Link in comments!

Back in April, our fantastic Development and Advocacy Manager, Mary King, launched a bike bus for schoolchildren in Lewi...
06/08/2026

Back in April, our fantastic Development and Advocacy Manager, Mary King, launched a bike bus for schoolchildren in Lewisham. This Cycle to Work Day, we're taking a moment to celebrate the positive impact it's already having on local families.

What started off as a 6-week trial soon turned into something for kids and their parents to look forward to every week. It's wonderful to see a Trees for Cities employee heading up an initiative so closely aligned with our values, bringing together community building and climate action to give children more enjoyable, emission-free school journeys.

Fewer car journeys mean cleaner air for the streets and the trees that line them. Why not swap four wheels for two next time you head off to work?

05/08/2026

So lovely to have such a young volunteer sum up just why nature is so important for our wellbeing — and at one of our community planting days too!

There really is nothing quite like being outdoors in the fresh air 💚

🚨 The UK is in drought. Young urban trees need our help.Half of England and all of Wales are now officially in drought, ...
04/08/2026

🚨 The UK is in drought. Young urban trees need our help.

Half of England and all of Wales are now officially in drought, and weeks of hot, dry weather are putting newly planted trees under real pressure.

The good news? A little help goes a long way.

💧 Water it!
Even during a hosepipe ban, you can water a tree with a watering can. Better still, use greywater from your washing up, bath, or shower.

🌳 Donate a drink
We're working hard to keep young trees alive through the drought, but we can't do it alone. A gift of £40 could provide water for 10 young trees, helping them survive this summer and grow for decades to come.

📣 Spread the word
The more people who know how vulnerable young trees are during drought, the more trees we'll save.

Let's help our young trees survive and thrive 💚

🔗 Donate via the link in the comments.

NB: The tree pictured was not planted by Trees for Cities.

Think you know your trees? 👀Meet the wild service tree! Rare, native to the UK, and once mainly found in ancient forests...
31/07/2026

Think you know your trees? 👀

Meet the wild service tree! Rare, native to the UK, and once mainly found in ancient forests, it's now gaining attention as a heat-resilient choice for towns and cities. Its tolerance of warmer conditions (like the hot weather we've been experiencing 🥵), seasonal colour, and value for wildlife make it a great option for creating greener, more climate-resilient urban spaces.

Scientific name: Sorbus torminalis (A.K.A Torminalis glaberrima — this tree has changed its scientific name more than once due to advances in DNA analysis!)

To ID this tree, look out for:
🔍 Maple-like lobed leaves that turn coppery red in autumn
🔍 Clusters of white flowers in late spring
🔍 Small speckled brown fruits known as chequers in autumn

Fun fact! The chequers fruit needs a frost to soften before it's edible. Historically it was used to make alcoholic drinks, and its name may even live on in some traditional pub names today 🍻

Spotted a wild service tree in your neighbourhood? Send us a snap 📸

Image credit: gailhampshire

🌿 Happy National Intern Day!A huge thank you to all our interns and trainees, past and present, who have helped grow Tre...
30/07/2026

🌿 Happy National Intern Day!

A huge thank you to all our interns and trainees, past and present, who have helped grow Trees for Cities' Movement for Urban Trees and Tree Equity.

Today, we're spotlighting their words of wisdom, experiences, and aspirations as they shape the future of the green sector 💚

With special thanks to The Finnis Scott Foundation for awarding a grant of £3,000 towards the role of Trainee Urban Forest Coordinator.

Head to the link in the comments to read more 🔗

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