The Wanstead Society and Friends of the Earth are urging local people to take control of street tree pits and plant native flowers to help wildlife.
In Snaresbrook alone over 2km of the land within ordinary streets are made up of tree pits, which can act as a thriving resource for the bee and bug population.
Recently, wildlife – especially bees – have been hit by poor weather conditions and an erosion of the native habitats which enable them to thrive.
Addison Road in Wanstead provides a prime example of where locals have taken this issue to heart. Wanstead Society member Colin Cronin got out and planted daffodil bulbs and native wild flowers in all the tree pits in this road in order to help promote native wildlife. He said “It’s an inexpensive and positive way to make good use of this land, but it also shows that residents living in these streets care about their neighbourhood as well as local wildlife. To make sure that the Council do not come along and spray weed killer on emerging bulbs always let them know which pit you have adopted”
Wanstead Society gardening supremo Marian Temple advises “always ensure you plant native or wild flowers as these require the least amount of care. If you adopt a tree pit, just make sure you give the flowers a drink once in a while”
The photos on this page are from Addison Road and show what can be done to brighten up your street and give wildlife a helping hand.
