Over 300 new trees planted across Reading this winter

Reading Borough Council has successfully completed its winter tree planting schedule, adding over 300 new trees across the borough since December 2024. The final planting sessions took place in February 2025 in partnership with community groups, marking another step forward in the council’s commitment to increasing tree coverage across the town.

Community tree planting efforts

Residents and community groups played a key role in the latest tree planting efforts. Earlier this month, users of the Weller Centre, along with ward councillors, planted three trees at Amersham Road recreation ground—bringing the total at the site to nine this year. Additionally, 18 cherry trees were planted along the pathway at Westfield recreation ground, creating a future cherry tree-lined avenue.

On another planting day in February, the Windrush community group planted five palm trees on Chatham Street roundabout, joined by councillors and the Mayor of Reading. The planting was a significant and emotional moment for Reading’s Windrush community, recognising their contributions to the town.

Total trees planted and future targets

Between December 2024 and February 2025, the council oversaw the planting of 313 new trees, in addition to 43 replacements for previously felled or dead trees—bringing the total to 356. These efforts keep Reading on track to meet its target of planting 3,000 new trees on council land by 2030.

Notable planting sessions over the winter included:

• 83 acer platanoides and English oak trees at John Rabson recreation ground
• 35 trees along Shirley Avenue

All newly planted trees are supported by a two-year watering programme to ensure healthy growth.

Why tree planting matters

Reading’s tree strategy, adopted in 2021, is a key part of the council’s climate change strategy. Increasing tree cover helps to:

• absorb carbon dioxide
• reduce flooding
• improve wildlife habitats
• provide much-needed shade during hotter summers

It also contributes to the borough-wide goal of achieving at least 25% tree canopy cover and a minimum of 12% in each of Reading’s 16 wards.

Community involvement and future planting

Residents and groups can request trees to be planted in their local area as part of the council’s annual planting schedule. Requests are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to lower-canopy areas. The tree request list for the 2025–26 planting season is now open. Suggestions can be submitted by emailing streetscene@reading.gov.uk.

Councillor response

Councillor Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety

"Making Reading an attractive and more environmentally positive place for residents to live is a key ongoing activity for the council. Our tree planting strategy is hugely ambitious, and planting 356 trees in just three months demonstrates our arboricultural team’s commitment to creating a greener Reading.

We are always thrilled when people recognise the value of paying it forward for future generations when helping us to identify special locations for trees. The Windrush community is a hugely important part of our vibrant, diverse and inclusive town and this was a wonderful way to celebrate that community’s valuable contributions to Reading and to ensure that future generations know this history. The idea came about from a simple request made by a member of the community to Councillor Griffith, who suggested the idea before the tree list filled up this planting season.

Anyone, an individual or a group, can request a tree to be planted in an area as part of our annual tree planting totals, with those suggestions taken on a first come, first served basis. Those requests also must take into account the suitability of the location, the need to balance our efforts across the town and our focus for planting into lower canopied wards and areas. The tree request list for next year is already open. If you or your group want to suggest where we might plant a tree to make Reading a greener place in the future, you can make that suggestion for next year by emailing streetscene@reading.gov.uk.”