With summer is in full swing, London is enjoying warmer weather and less rainfall, but the council says that more can be done to keep the community’s trees happy.

A team of volunteers – known as the Wandsworth Tree Warden Network – have been lending a hand to water local trees since 1990.

However, rising summer temperatures and global warming is making their job more difficult.

Currently, there are around 16,000 street-trees in Wandsworth, and a further 45,000 in parks, commons and on estates.

But the council plants an extra 500 trees a year, which require special attention.

Newly planted trees need to be watered regularly for 12 months, but in warm spells they can suffer from dehydration - losing up to 30 per cent of water a day.

For tree warden, Isabel Losada, keeping trees healthy comes naturally.

“I walk around Battersea park almost daily, and I keep my eye on the trees to see if they need watering or staking up.

“Most of the trees don’t get enough water, as the pipes which feed them get blocked. I pick up half-full plastic water bottles from the ground and do it,” she says.

Duties of a tree warden also involve informing the council when trees show signs of illness or disease, so that an expert can be called in to assess its condition.

If the leaves are brown or drooping prematurely, or ground around the tree is dry or cracked, it may be under distress.

Steffi Sutters, the council’s environment spokesperson, says tree wardens can make an effective contribution to the community.

“The borough’s tree wardens do a fantastic job keeping trees healthy and our streets green. We are grateful for everything they do."

“We would encourage residents to join the network and do something really positive for their neighbourhoods."

“And if people don’t want to formally join, they can still do their bit and water the trees in their street and help keep them green and healthy.”

You can find out more information, or become a tree warden here.