Trees


 

Trees help us in so many ways. They are vital to the air we breathe, help absorb and reduce air and noise pollution, provide shade and habitat for birds, insects and other creatures, cool our air in the heat, help prevent flooding.... and more.

1998 saw our first our tree planting on the Common. Since then with the help of the Tree Musketeers (link opens in new window/tab), Hackney Tree Nursery and Hackney Council we have planted over a hundred trees, four long hedgerows and several small hedging areas. We prioritise more 'native' trees and those known to cope better with our climate and its current changeability. We are in the lucky position of running out of space for new trees.
 
The big Plane tree in 2005 - before the hedge was planted
 

As well as tree planting days during the winter, SNUG runs work days, led by an expert from the Tree Nursery, to inspect the trees for disease or damage and look after them as necessary. Over the Summer we water the young, more recently planted, trees to keep them alive until they develop their own deep root system. Our knowledge of trees and tree care has grown alongside our trees. Contact us for details of work days.

Two people planting trees
3 people planting
 
 

 

 
The pictures below are of Sanford Terrace before extensive hedge and tree planting, and the pictures below were taken from the same spots now.

 
 
Sandford Terrace after planting
Sandford Terrace before tree planting
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

Damaging a tree can kill it
Although the Common now has a healthy stock of trees, it is a very small park, trees are quite fragile, especially when young, and each one is precious. Breaking branches or stripping bark, introduces disease and deprives a tree of nutrients. Eventually this can kill the tree. Sometimes people encourage their dogs to attack our trees and many trees on the Common have died after being damaged by people in this way. 
 
Commemorative tree on Stoke Newinton CommonThe photo is of a tree on the Common which had its bark stripped by people and their dog. 
This tree died a while later.
Please report any tree damage to Hackney Council's Tree Department

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Memorial trees
 
Many of the trees on the Common are commemorative.
A maple (Acer Rubrum Freemanii Autumn Blaze) and a 'Taiwan' cherry tree (Prunus Okame) were planted in honour of two SNUG members who died: Mahbub Miah and Cheryl Grey, respectively. In 2009, an Atlas Ceder tree was planted and a plaque erected to commemorate the struggle to end the Atlantic African slave trade.


 
 

Tree map

Our tree map (PDF) shows the number and huge diversity of tree types on the Common. This is currently being updated to include trees planted in recent years. But it gives a good idea of the range.