Greenwashed Tree

Greenwashed Tree
People gathering to see the Banksy tree mural
Crowds gathering around the mural
ArtistBanksy
Year2024 (2024)
MediumPaint
Location

Greenwashed Tree is a 2024 mural by graffiti artist Banksy. It appeared on the side of a building on Hornsey Road in north London during the early morning of 18 March 2024, with Banksy confirming it to be his work shortly after.

Description

The mural uses green paint to depict the leaves of a tree, with a figure standing below depicted holding a paint sprayer. The mural is positioned on the side of a residential building behind a tree that had recently been heavily pollarded. The mural was installed on the night of St Patrick's Day, known for its association with the colour green.

Response

Commenters suggested the work was a criticism on the excessive pruning that had been undertaken on the tree. Others, including Jeremy Corbyn, saw the work as a broader criticism on the damage being done to the environment. Further still, that the work is a criticism of greenwashing, a term for misleading claims of environmentally-friendly practices for marketing purposes. Other potential issues commenters saw the mural as aiming to confront include the general lack of greenery in certain urban areas.

Within days of being put up, the mural was vandalised with white paint, and protective fences were put in place, followed by plastic and boards by the building's owner. A spokesperson for Islington Council announced plans to install protection that would still allow public viewing of the mural. As of 2026, the mural remains visible and protected, although damaged.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 laboureau, sebastien (3 May 2025). "Greenwashed Tree, 18 March 2024". Banksy Explained. Archived from the original on 20 April 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Banksy: Artist confirms new London tree mural is his own work". BBC News. 18 March 2024. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "Banksy artwork creates urban tree debate, says pruning firm boss". BBC News. 19 March 2024. Archived from the original on 15 September 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "What's the meaning behind Banksy's new London tree mural?". The Independent. 19 March 2024. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  5. ↑ Hall, Rachel (20 March 2024). "New Banksy tree mural in north London defaced with white paint". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Banksy: London tree mural covered in plastic and boards". BBC News. 27 March 2024. Archived from the original on 15 December 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Banksy tree mural that sprouted in London is fenced off after apparent vandalism". AP News. 27 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Donna (23 July 2026). "Banksy Locations in London: 23 Surviving Works to Visit". GraffitiStreet. Retrieved 21 August 2026.