The Rebel Tree is a proposed art installation for 2027, when Haringey will be the London Borough of Culture under the title of “The Rebel Borough”. The tree is supported by HCAN (Haringey Community Action Network) and others in Haringey.
The aim is to combine art and radical politics by the creation of a large artificial tree with many beautiful leaves. Each branch will address a different subject, like mental health, or food, or housing. Each leaf will contain a proposal made by the people of Haringey for a change which could make the borough a better place.
We want the tree to be impressively big — four metres or more. We also want to be able to dismantle it so it can be erected in different places around the borough. And we want it to look amazing! So artists, craftspeople and engineers will need to be involved in its making.
We also hope the Rebel Tree leads to improvements to life in Haringey. If its branches bear even one fruit of real change it will have served its purpose, and show the spirit of rebellion is alive and kicking in the borough.
How far has it got?
In September 2025 the idea was road-tested with a small tree at the Lordship Rec's Flower and Produce Show. Despite several downpours, over 70 leaves were filled in, mostly about encouraging Haringey's green spaces. People plainly got the idea and liked it.
The first subject-specific branch was launched soon after. A golden bough for migrants was displayed at the anniversary party for Haringey Welcome (the umbrella organisation for migrant support). Again, many leaves were written up with ideas to improve life for migrants and everyone else in Haringey. In June the branch went to Haringey Migrants Support Centre where more leaves were filled in. One idea is to make the leaves for the migrant branch with fabrics from Haringey's different cultures and countries of origin.
What's next?
By its nature the Rebel Tree is going to grow organically and unpredictably. At this stage we can't say what subjects the branches will cover, how the final leaves will be determined, or what the tree will look like in the end.
What we do know now is that the Rebel Tree:
- will promote a community that looks after vulnerable people, fights prejudice and poverty, encourages art and nature and faces up to the challenge of the climate emergency.
- will be made by those who have first-hand experience of the chosen topic.
We want many people to get involved!