Rare Trees and Timber of Peckham: A 21C Beautification Walk

All welcome, to explore the trees and timber heritage of Peckham – mulberries, redwoods, italian oaks and whitten timber – the extraordinary diversity of the areas trees, fauna and urban spaces.

For this short introductory walk exploring the trees and urban ecology of North Peckham – join the Ecologistes – InspiralLondon mini-festival of city walking & Urban Ecology. The 21C Beautification Committee artists Rachel Gomme and Charlie Fox will guide you on a unique tour of the rare trees of Peckham and encounter the extraordinary timber that made South London. The walk will take a loop from Peckham Square northwards along old Surrey Canal greenway to Glengall Wharf Gardens, where we will stop for refreshments to take some time to visit this unique permaculture garden. Then along the edge of Burgess Park to Central Venture Park, to the back of Sceaux Gardens to discover Bellenden Road Nature Reserve (London Wildlife Trust). We will be finishing at Peckham Square. Nearest tube Peckham Rye Overground or buses to the Square (Routes include: 12, 36, 37, 63, 78, 136, 171, 343, 436).

The tour takes 2 hours – along a route approximately 1 and 1/2 miles long. Wear suitable walking shoes and if hot bring a water bottle.

Rachel Gomme will be introducing you to some of her favourite street trees in Peckham. We will look at how trees survive, thrive and contribute to the health of the city. Together, we’ll be making symbolic links between isolated trees along the way, ‘twinning’ them as a reminder of the forest community that is their native environment, and taking bark rubbings from trees we meet to create new pairings.

Charlie Fox will share insights into the history and future of urban tree planting and the potential of living timber. Introducing the work of Tree Stop – a mobile prototype tree propagation system – for the cultivation and re-introduction of diverse individuals within the urban tree population.

This walk is part of a larger project of 21C Beautification Committee – to care for, understand and plant street trees for the future. It’s inspiration lies in the work of the original Beautification Committee set up by the first female Mayor of London Ada Salter. Through her leadership the whole of Southwark was transformed into a green welcoming urban environment.

On the day we hope to be joined by special guest tree expert on the day (tbc) and we are also delighted to be running this free walk in partnership with Peckham Platform.

Ecologistes – InspiralLondon mini-festival of city walking & Urban Ecology is part of National Park City Festival 2019. SEE https://nationalparkcity.london.gov.uk/