2,000 trees sought for Olimpic Park

Around 2,000 mature and semi-mature trees are being sought to form the 'roots' of the 100 hectare London 2012 Olympic Park.
The Olympic Park will provide a colourful festival setting for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and new park space for local people and wildlife after the Games.

The four to seven metre high trees will be planted over the next three winters as the Olympic Park is created on cleaned former industrial land. Tree species will range from oak, to ash, alder, willow, birch, hazel, cherry, poplar, London plane and lime. Companies interested in supplying the trees can register for the opportunity on the London 2012 Business Network.

ODA Project Sponsor for Parklands and Public Realm John Hopkins said: 'Trees will create the roots of the London 2012 Olympic Park which we are on track to deliver. We are planting trees that reflect great British parks but also create habitats for wildlife and help ‘future proof’ the Park and surrounding built-up areas against climate change and flooding. Trees will help manage flood and rain water in the Park, create a ‘cool island’ on hot days and protect people from strong sun and winds.

'We want to work with the best to deliver this great new Park and have had an encouraging response from industry since we set out our procurement strategy and timetable a year and a half ago.'