Future-proofing Cities with Community Orchards

At last week's volunteering event, American Express colleagues helped remove weeds from tree bases, before applying mulch with woodchip to lock in moisture and prevent competitive vegetation. Tree health was reviewed, and any diseased, damaged, and dead branches were pruned. Supports, and ties were checked to ensure the trees grow straight and strong.

This is one of several American Express colleague volunteering activities across Sussex and London forming part of a wider American Express Foundation and Trees for Cities partnership. As part of the company’s global Environmental, Social, and Governance strategy, American Express is committed to supporting low-carbon communities with at least $10 million in grants from 2021 through 2025, which will support nature-based solutions and sustainability efforts like these. Trees for Cities is a leading UK charity working at a national and international scale to improve lives by planting trees in towns and cities. To date, the organisation has planted over 1.7 million urban trees across the UK and around the world. It strengthens urban communities through volunteering opportunities and works with urban schools to inspire children to grow and eat healthy food.

The 30 fruit and nut trees and 10 disease-resistant elms which Amex colleagues tended to this week were planted as standards (large saplings) in the early months of the 2023 season. Planted at the same time, 10 metres apart as a traditional orchard, they sit within an area of grassland. As they mature, their canopies will spread and interlock. Providing beautiful spaces to spend time in, community orchards are vital for future-proofing cities. They help provide shade in the summer to lower temperatures, draw up excess rainwater to prevent flooding and provide local, zero miles healthy food. Types of fruit trees in the orchard include apple, pear, plum, cherry and damson.

Rory Field, Corporate Partnerships Director at Trees for Cities said, "Trees for Cities are incredibly proud of our partnership with American Express Foundation who have helped us plant and protect trees in London, and protect trees in Sussex. Trees make us healthier and happier and the work they have done in the Bevendean Recreation Ground orchard is essential. Looking after urban trees is as important as planting them and American Express colleagues have helped to ensure the good health of the orchard that will continue to attract biodiversity as well as encourage the community to forage and enjoy the outdoors."