A discussion paper launched by a group of volunteers is urging Wandsworth Council to update its strategy regarding trees in the borough.

The Wandsworth Tree Wardens Network (WTWN) aim to stimulate discussion about the borough’s tree population.

Titled ‘A 21st Century Tree Strategy for Wandsworth’, it is said to provide ‘good evidence’ about how trees provide important health benefits, such as cleaning the air, and discuss their economic, social and psychological advantages.

Andrew Wills, WTWN’s coordinator, said: “We want the council to consider a long-term commitment to increasing the size of the tree canopy in the borough.

“[We also want to] create an urban forest so that Wandsworth remains the brighter borough in this century and beyond.”

A council spokesperson said: “We value the work of the tree wardens and are committed to working with them to protect and safeguard the more than 50,000 trees that thrive in Wandsworth, and contribute so much to making it such a great place to live.

“We’ve received their report and are considering its recommendations.”

There are two versions of the discussion paper, both online and paper.

To read it online, you can visit: http://wandsworthtreewardens.org/strategy.pdf

Alternatively, hard copies are available at libraries in these locations across Wandsworth:

- Balham

- Battersea

- Battersea Park

- Earlsfield

- Heritage Service

- Northcote

- Putney

- Roehampton

- Southfields

- Tooting

- Wandsworth Town

- York House

To find out more about WTWN, you can visit: https://wandsworthtreewardens.org/about-us/

Got a news story? Send it to: nick.kituno@newsquest.co.uk