Tower Hamlets is replacing every tree that was brought down by Storm Eunice, Mayor John Biggs has said.

Winds of up to 80mph knocked down trees all over London on February 18, destroying at least 48 in Tower Hamlets, of which ten were on highways and 38 in parks.

As part of the council’s annual tree planting scheme, trees that were felled during the storm will be replaced while the wood from the fallen ones will be recycled.

The Council has already replaced 12 trees in the past few days.

Biggs said: “We are making two promises. The first is that we are going to replace every one of these [trees] with a new tree-like the park is always renewing itself.

“The second thing is that we will recycle the wood from these trees to use in useful ways, to make bits of furniture, to make benches and to help young people who are doing woodcraft work… We are trying to make something good out of the bad of the storm.” 

Tower Hamlets was one of the first councils in the UK to join Trees for Streets, a national street tree sponsorship project aiming to plant more than 250,000 trees countrywide in the next ten years. 

During the last three years, over 5,000 trees have been planted in the borough. 

The council’s park team will use the damaged wood as a soil improver and mulch to suppress weeds and to build habitat piles for insects and wildlife. Local artists and groups can also use it to build benches and make sculptures for public benefit. 

Councillor Asma Islam, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “Tower Hamlets has some fantastic open spaces and we’re proud to have so many trees in our streets and our parks. 

“We’re working hard to introduce more street trees to make our residential neighbourhoods greener and help improve air quality, and I’m delighted that Mayor Biggs has pledged to replant all the trees lost to Storm Eunice.” 

To receive some wood from the fallen trees, contact communications@towerhamlets.gov.uk.