TERMS & CONDITIONS

Important stuff

Species

Where possible STfL and Lewisham Council will work with Area Reps, Street Reps and Sponsors to plant street trees chosen by residents. Pavements and trees remain the property of the London Borough of Lewisham who provide species guidance and retain final decision on species and location. This is in order to avoid planting street trees that may cause damage and to ensure that we’re always planting “the right tree, in the right location, for the right reason”. Despite best efforts, it is not always possible to meet species requests and changes are possible even late in the planting cycle. In these instances, STfL and Lewisham Council will choose the closest possible substitutes. If a species is changed after the sponsor has paid for the tree, and therefore the sponsor no longer wishes to proceed with planting, the sponsor will be offered a full refund. However, for logistical reasons, the negotiation of alternatives will not be possible at this stage of the campaign. If the location is marginally changed (1-2 metres either side of the original location) a refund will not be possible. If the tree isn’t planted (due to utilities etc.), the sponsor will be offered a full refund.

Planting

Planting takes place October to March. Sometimes the tree-pit is 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 three 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 three 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 and contractors will carry out minor jobs (weeding, pruning, firming stakes and de-caging where the cage is damaging the tree etc.) 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 light maintenance responsibilities, such as weeding, feeding and topping up mulch, however recommend this is done with the knowledge and agreement of your Area Rep. Please report more serious issues to us, that we can then send on to the council.

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

Where possible your new street tree will be guaranteed 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.

Payment

Please send your payment by BACS to our account on receipt of a donation request for your tree (s).

Account Name: Street Trees for Living
Account Number: 00032915
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Bank: CAF Bank

Please note the following when making payment:

  • In multiples of tree numbers (to avoid payments in dribs and drabs)

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

  • With additional charge for 2 extra stakes

  • 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.

Please note: Occasionally high street banks do not recognise this charity bank but they are correct, 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. £800 which covers professional planting of a 3-4m tree (approx.), 2 supportive stakes, and replacement within two years if the tree fails or is damaged, but only if this is not a direct cause of lack of watering. 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’s contractors and planting takes place October-March. All street trees remain the property of Lewisham Council who also retain liability for them. Donations are NOT payable until proposed planting locations have been approved in May. 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 and welcome of any tree to be planted outside a property. 'Consultation' forms must be submitted before a tree can be ordered. 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).