Terms and Conditions

Species

Where possible STfL and Lewisham Council will work with Street Reps and Sponsors to plant street trees chosen by residents. LBL avoids planting street trees that may cause damage. STfL has worked with Lewisham Council on species guidance to ensure “the right tree in the right location”. For more information on tree species you can look in Barcham's online catalogue. Occasionally, when ordering trees, it is not possible to meet species requests, usually because a tree is unavailable. In this case, STfL and Lewisham Council will choose the closest possible substitute. The negotiation of alternatives will not be possible at this stage of the campaign.

Planting

Planting takes place October to March. The tree-pit is often dug, with a stake placed for health and safety reasons, days or months in advance. Please let us know immediately if location, tree or cage-guard is not as arranged with us.

Watering

Each street tree is matched to a Tree Guardian who commits to water their new street tree for two years from planting from March through to October, as set out on our website, and to engage as required with emailed watering reminders. We also ask that the trees are watered in as soon as they are planted. STfL to receive full guardian contact details for each individual tree before tree ordering. Sometimes trees need watering for more than two years. We ask Sponsors/Street Reps/Guardians to provide this extra watering if required, and to email their Area Rep straightaway if their tree is not thriving.

Maintenance

Maintenance of street trees is shared between the council and STfL for several years after planting. Trained STfL volunteers will carry out minor jobs (weeding, pruning, firming stakes and de-caging where the cage is damaging the tree) of STfL trees and occasionally other tree stock on LBL-owned land, and may do so for the first few years after your tree has been planted and without prior notice. We do still encourage Sponsors/Street Reps/Guardians to also take on these roles, or to identify local residents willing to do so, however all this must be with the knowledge and agreement of your Area Rep.

Audit

STfL also asks that sponsors audit their own trees for the first two years. The audit hugely benefits the whole of Lewisham’s street tree stock and is a simple form arriving once a year by email, including a few questions and a link to upload photos that takes a matter of minutes to complete.

Guarantee

Your new street tree is insured by the council for two years against vandalism or failure, provided watering is carried out as agreed, and any problem alerted to STfL as soon as it is noticed. Street Trees for Living is a registered charity, number 1185165

Payment

By BACS to our account on receipt of a donation request for your tree (s)

  • before 19th June

  • in multiples of tree numbers (to avoid dribs and drabs) £350 per tree

  • with reference of street address where the tree(s) will be planted

  • with extra £36 for cage if planted within housing developments and an extra £12 for strimmer guard if planted on a soft verge

  • with a Gift Aid declaration if appropriate. If you are a UK taxpayer this will cost you nothing but will enable STfL to claim back 25p in every £1

BACs Details:

  • Account: Street Trees for Living

  • Account number: 00032915

  • Sort code: 40-52-40

  • Bank: CAF Bank (PLEASE NOTE >> occasionally high street banks do not recognise this charity bank but THESE ARE THE CORRECT DETAILS, so please proceed with your payment)

Small Print

Planting is at the discretion of the council. The cost of planting each tree will be approx. £470 which includes professional planting of 4m tree (approx.), 2 supportive stakes, and insurance for two years against failure or damage. Of this cost, Lewisham Council will contribute £100 plus per tree. £320 of your contribution will fund tree planting, and the other £30 will fund the Charity’s administration costs associated with the project. There are a limited number of spaces for tree planting available and donations will be allocated to available spaces on a first-come first-serve basis. Any donations received which are over and above those necessary to complete the project will be applied towards the general charitable purposes of Street Trees for Living. Actual tree planting will be carried out by Lewisham Council and planting takes place October-March. All street trees remain the property of Lewisham Council who also retain liability for them. Money is NOT payable until the request has been approved, usually in the July prior to planting. Money is payable to Street Trees for Living in a single BACS payment per tree, or group of trees, unless arranged otherwise. It is the sponsors responsibility to secure residents' acceptance of any tree to be planted outside a property. 'Consultation' forms must be submitted before a tree can be ordered. Refunds can be made where appropriate. Street Trees for Living is a registered charity and your sponsorship can be more valuable if you complete a Gift Aid form, available on request (UK resident taxpayers only).