Thousands of trees are set to be planted across Merton over the next year, creating several new woodland areas that will benefit both wildlife and local communities.

The first new woodland will be created in Morden Park, with further locations to be confirmed in the coming months. Sites are being identified where new tree planting can deliver the greatest benefits for both residents and the local environment, with local Friends of Parks groups helping to shape the plans. The first trees will be planted during the next planting season, which runs from November to March.

Councillor Ross Garrod, Leader of Merton Council, said:

“We promised to make Merton greener by planting new woodlands, and we are doing just that – with the first one to be created in Morden Park. By working with local Friends of Parks groups, we’ll establish new woodlands where residents can escape urban life and wildlife can flourish. These improvements will help to clean up our air and combat climate change from day one, but they’ll also be a legacy that will be enjoyed by our communities for generations to come.”

As these woodlands mature, they will create beautiful new green spaces for residents to enjoy and improve biodiversity by providing valuable habitats for local wildlife. They will also help provide shade during periods of hot weather, support the long-term storage of carbon, and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable local environment.

The announcement of our ambition to create new woodlands in Merton builds on the delivery of 1,000 new street trees during the last planting season and the creation of the Dave Lofthouse Memorial Woodland at Cranmer Green in 2023. Together, these projects demonstrate our commitment to making Merton a greener and more welcoming borough for everyone to enjoy and support our goal of increasing Merton’s tree canopy cover by 10% by 2050.