BDB Pitmans partners with Ethical Reading to help make the town greener

BDB Pitmans, is pleased to announce its collaboration with not-for-profit social enterprise, Ethical Reading, through its participation in their Trees for Reading initiative.

With the support of Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Reading Tree Wardens, Trees for Reading offers locally-based organisations an opportunity to make a positive difference to their area by funding the planting and care of trees.

The initiative aims to introduce more trees into built-up areas while encouraging businesses to engage with their local community. The presence of trees helps to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of people who live and work nearby and supports the absorption of excess carbon dioxide – improving local air quality by filtering pollution. Planting trees also generates additional wildlife habitat. RBC have made a commitment to provide two years of care and maintenance to help ensure that the trees thrive and to replace any that don’t.

Trees for Reading sees substantial young trees (12 to 14cm around the trunk and 3 to 3.5m tall) planted in carefully chosen spots designed to maximise their impact. The goal is to plant the majority of the trees in the areas most in need – close to the town centre, around schools and in deprived neighbourhoods – with the rest planted across the wider Reading area.

To date, BDB Pitmans’ donation has been used to fund the planting of:

• two maidenhair trees (Ginkgo biloba) – one in the rewilding area of Henley Road Cemetery and one at Redlands Primary School;
• two ornamental pear trees (Pyrus calleryana‘Chanticleer’) – one outside Evans Cycles, just opposite BDB Pitmans’ Reading office, and one on Bennet Road;
• two river birches (Betula nigra) at County Lock, behind the office; and
• a Swedish whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia) next to the play area at Kensington Road Recreation Ground.

Andrew Smith, Managing Partner at BDB Pitmans commented:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to give back to the local community as part of the Trees for Reading initiative, continuing our mission to ‘build better’ by enhancing the environment and taking steps to support the wellbeing of Reading’s residents. Funding the planting of these trees allows us to play a small part in making the town greener, healthier and happier as well as creating a lasting legacy for the future.”

Kathryn McCann, Trees for Reading lead at Ethical Reading, said:

“We’re grateful to BDB Pitmans for not only agreeing to join Ethical Reading as a Partner but also making such a generous contribution to our tree-planting initiative at the same time. These trees have been added in locations badly in need of more canopy cover and will make a significant difference to the way the areas look and feel, as well as well as helping to improve air quality and providing habitats for wildlife.”