‘Adopt a Tree Pit’ applications are now open – Help nature thrive on your doorstep
Published: 28 October 2026
Redbridge’s locally loved ‘Adopt a Tree Pit’ initiative is back, with opportunities to ‘adopt’ a single tree pit or a whole street of tree pits to create thriving little mini-gardens for local wildlife.
Applications for Adopt a Tree Pit 2027 are now open, alongside year-round applications to become a Pollinator Pathway, for which neighbours can team up to adopt a whole street of tree pits.
Both green schemes are part of the Council’s community gardening initiative giving local people the chance to brighten up their street, and boost biodiversity in Redbridge.
Tree pits are the soil area at the base of trees, which are perfect for planting. Through ‘Adopt a Tree Pit’ you can apply to take care of your very own individual tree pit, or you can team up with your neighbours to apply under the Pollinator Pathway Scheme to adopt all the tree pits on your street, along with any other nearby plant growth areas, to become a Pollinator Pathway road.
A Pollinator Pathway is a corridor of pesticide free plants that connect different areas of habitat, encouraging pollinators such as bees to travel between them to access the food and shelter that they need.
This year, over 700 local people took part, adopting over 500 tree pits, and thanks to the Pollinator Pathway scheme there are also currently 12 Pollinator Pathways streets covering a length of 4368m, in the borough.
The boroughwide initiative is also a fun and interactive way to bring neighbours together to make streets more attractive and colourful, as well as help take care of and have pride in their neighbourhood.
Kaye Larbi, a Redbridge resident, adopted a tree pit for the first time this year and is hoping to readopt the same tree pit again for 2027.
Encouraging others to take part, Kaye said: “We have a tree pit right outside our house and wanted to get involved. It’s a great way to brighten up the neighbourhood. We had some lovely geraniums growing in the tree pit, and I’ve supplemented the soil to help more flowers grow. I really enjoy taking care of it. It’s also great way for neighbours to get together and adopt a few tree pits on the same street to add a refreshing burst of colour to their neighbourhood. I’d highly recommend it, and you don’t need gardening skills or experience either, so anyone can get involved.”
Applications to ‘Adopt a Tree Pit’ must be made by 11.59pm Sunday 3 January 2027.
Successful applicants will be contacted to confirm their adoption and will receive wildflower seeds and tree labels in late January 2027.
For more details or to apply visit: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/adopt-a-tree-pit-and-pollinator-pathways/
Redbridge Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods, Cllr Jo Blackman, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many local people getting involved in our Pollinator Pathway and Adopt a Tree Pit schemes each year. These small actions make a real difference, helping to brighten our streets, support local wildlife and create spaces where bees, butterflies and other pollinators can flourish. I’d encourage anyone interested to get involved and submit an application.”
If you applied to adopt a tree pit last year you will have to re-apply again this year as all adoptions last for 12 months only.
Applications to become a ‘Pollinator Pathway’ are open all year round, enabling local people to team up with their neighbours throughout the year.
For more information or to apply go to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/adopt-a-tree-pit-and-pollinator-pathways/
Streets that become Pollinator Pathways will be removed from the Council’s chemical weed control spraying schedule to help create a pesticide-free corridor of pollinator friendly plants. Local people taking part in the scheme will be required to manually control plant growth on their street. Redbridge Council’s Neighbourhood Team will support with advice and information on acceptable levels of plant growth and pesticide free weed removal.
Local people can also get involved in looking after newly planted trees on their street by unofficially adopting them. New trees are planted in the borough between November and March, with a blue label attached asking for help with watering in the summer months when they may need an extra drink. For more information go to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/attractive-streets/adopt-and-water-a-tree/
