Covid Memorial Woodland

Earlier this year, with the help of many volunteers, we planted our Covid Memorial Woodland, just north of California Country Park. 

We’re now planning to open the woodland in 2026, giving it the best possible start and ensuring it thrives for years to come. This year’s hot, dry weather made it especially difficult for young trees to establish, despite extra watering and care. 

This winter, our teams and contractors will replant trees where needed, sow more wildflowers, and continue preparing the site.

This extra time will allow the woodland to grow into a healthy, resilient, and peaceful space for reflection and remembrance. We’ll share further updates next year as the woodland continues to take shape. 

Earlier this year, assisted by members of our Countryside Services team, residents attended eight sessions in March, helping to plant some 1,000 trees in four days.

You can watch a video highlight below and below see images from the tree planting sessions.

The woodland will serve as a lasting memorial for many generations, remembering those who lost their lives during the pandemic, while also helping increase biodiversity in the borough.

This project is part of our ongoing effort to plant trees across the borough to tackle the climate emergency.

The creation of the Covid Memorial Woodland has been made possible with the support of The Woodland Trust's Emergency Tree Fund.

See the documents below for background information about this project.