Communi-trees
Establishing Camden’s first fruit orchards
A grassroots climate action project, we’re working directly with local estates to plant trees and fruit orchards, to create greener, healthier environments.
Communi-trees
Establishing Camden’s first fruit orchards
A grassroots climate action project, we’re working directly with local estates to plant trees and fruit orchards, to create greener, healthier environments.
A climate action project
Communi-trees connects local residents with nature, acting as a springboard for climate action while simultaneously greening the borough, enriching biodiversity, improving health and wellbeing, and alleviating the impact of climate change.
A flagship KOKO Foundation project in partnership with Think & Do and Camden County Council, we are planting a patchwork orchard across Camden’s estates, including edible fruit trees wherever soil health allows us to do safely. Since launching in 2022 we have planted over 300 trees across 14 council estates and 25 schools – including 179 fruit trees.
As well as the many ecological benefits, at the heart of this project is an opportunity to educate and inspire others to become custodians of our planet. For each of our Communi-trees sites, we appoint local young people ‘KOKO Foresters’ who are trained and paid to nurture the trees, creating new career pathways and instilling a lifelong love of nature. We provide the tools and training they need to become custodians of their environment, and it’s a privilege to see how they blossom through our work together.
The initiative has already gained recognition from the Mayor of London, with the program being highlighted as a case study in the Urban Forest Partnership, 2024.
Breaking ground…
In 2022, the KOKO Foundation created Communi-trees, planting 20 mature trees across two estates and appointing the first two KOKO foresters to care for them. In 2023, 70 more communi-trees were planted across six more estates. We are now on to our 14th estate, maintained by a growing team of KOKO Foresters.
Camden’s first orchards…
In 2023 together with Think & Do and Camden Council Green Spaces, we co-designed a pioneering orchard project, which is now being rolled out in the borough.
Working with UCL to carry out soil testing, we’re identifying suitable sites for edible fruit trees, so local residents (human and otherwise!) can enjoy the fruits of our shared labour. Community outreach is carried out on each of our estates, and it’s inspiring to see residents come together to choose fruit trees and share ideas. Wherever possible, we implement a ‘relaxed mow’ system in our orchards, which encourages wildflowers and enhances biodiversity in the orchards.
Taking root…
The power of Communi-trees stretches far beyond the borough, and we’re only just getting started! Over 300 trees have now been planted, with soil testing underway for our next edible fruit orchards.
Find our patchwork orchard throughout the borough:
- Peckwater Estate, NW5
- Goldington Estate, NW1
- Templar House, NW2
- Bourne Estate, EC1N
- Regents park Estate, NW1
- Maitland Park Estate, NW3
- Bayham Estate, NW1
- Clarence Way, NW1
- Abbey Green Estate, NW8
- Mortimer Estate, NW6
- Constable House Estate, NW3
- Westcroft Estate, NW2
- Sidney Boyd Court Estate, NW6
