The Haslams marketing team recently swapped screens and spreadsheets for fresh air and greenery as we joined a lunchtime Tree Walk through Reading town centre, hosted by Walk Works, Ethical Reading and Reading Tree Wardens.
Starting in Market Place, the walk highlighted how trees are helping to transform Reading’s streets, improve air quality, support wildlife and create a greener, healthier environment for everyone. What made the walk particularly enjoyable was seeing Reading from a completely different perspective. Although at Haslams we spend our working days helping people move home around the town and its surrounding areas, it is easy to walk past some of Reading’s most remarkable trees without ever noticing them.
Along the route, we discovered a great variety of species, from mature plane trees that have stood in Reading for several centuries to young saplings that have only just been planted in Forbury Gardens, along Chestnut Walk and next to the River Kennet to benefit future generations. Each tree had its own story, whether connected to the town’s history, local wildlife or Reading’s future environmental ambitions. We also learned about the important work undertaken by Reading Tree Wardens and the role that local organisations can play in supporting and enhancing Reading’s urban landscape.
As we walked through familiar streets and public spaces, it was fascinating to hear how different tree species have been selected and planted to suit particular locations, helping to create greener, healthier and more attractive places for people to live, work and spend time. Many of the trees we passed are features of the town that thousands of people see every day, yet few of us stop to consider the positive impact they have on the environment and our wellbeing.
Perhaps the best part was taking an hour away from our desks. Much of our working day can be spent in front of computers, and spending a lunchtime outdoors exploring the town on foot and learning something new about our local environment was a refreshing change of pace. It was also a welcome opportunity to connect with other local businesses and residents who share a passion for making Reading an even better place to live and work.
The experience reminded us how fortunate we are to work in a town that combines a thriving urban centre with so much greenery and community spirit. Reading’s trees don’t just make the town more attractive; they contribute to cleaner air, cooler streets, increased biodiversity and improved wellbeing for residents and visitors alike. As estate agents, we know that access to green spaces and attractive surroundings is something many buyers and tenants value highly when choosing where to live, making projects such as Trees for Reading all the more important.
Inspired by what we learned during the walk, Haslams has made a small donation to the Trees for Reading initiative to support future tree planting and maintenance projects across the town. Trees planted today will benefit Reading’s communities for decades to come, and we are pleased to play a small part in supporting that vision. You can find out more about the ways we support local initiatives and organisations here.
A big thank you to Walk Works, Ethical Reading and Reading Tree Wardens for a fascinating lunchtime tour. We highly recommend Walk Works to anyone looking to improve their wellbeing and connections, while spending meaningful time outdoors.