Reading MP's plea to help save trees hit by heatwave

Reading and the rest of the UK experienced a heatwave at the start of the week with temperatures around 35C, leading to fears that trees could wither and die.

Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, joined councillor Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) to help water trees at risk from the heat.

READ MORE: New record set for hottest temperature ever recorded in Reading

He said: “Reading has been baking in the recent hot weather and many volunteers are out helping to preserve our trees and green spaces doing valuable watering.

“If you would like to volunteer, you could really help to save or protect a tree that’s under pressure in the current heatwave.”

We need to look after our trees, especially during this heatwave. I would like to thank Reading Tree Wardens, @KarenRowlandRDG , @ReadingCouncil , and @EthicalReading for continuing to water Reading's trees which have been suffering in the hot, dry weather. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/zDLQqVKmP7

— Matt Rodda (@MattRodda) July 18, 2022

Although rain fell in Reading on Wednesday and Friday, the weather will remain warm over the next week, with temperatures each day averaging 22-24C.

If you want to volunteer to help the trees, please email Reading Tree Wardens at rtwn2011@gmail.com .

You can also email sustainabilty@ethicalreading.org.uk to get involved.

READ MORE: Met Office issues yellow thunderstorm warning after heatwave

Mr Rodda was spotted watering the trees in Thorn Street and elsewhere in town on Monday, July 18.

The following day, Tuesday, July 19, was the hottest day in Reading since records began in 1908, with a temperature of 37.6C being recorded by The University of Reading’s Atmospheric Observatory.