Trees are living statues, and the lifeblood of our planet. They give out oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, and provide protection from wind and flooding. They make neighbourhoods nicer (and are proven to reduce crime rates) and also help to reduce heat island effect.
Trees also provide free food in the form of fruits and nuts, for both us and wildlife and birds. They also provide homes for birds (from owls to garden birds) and also help our mental health, through ‘forest bathing’ (there’s nothing like a walk in the woods to calm you down).
If planting trees, use no-dig methods (avoid netting, to protect wildlife). Learn how to create green spaces that are pet-friendly and wildlife-friendly.
Avoid facing indoor foliage to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows. Also know trees to avoid near horses (including yew, oak and sycamore).
Yet English councils don’t plant nearly enough trees, compared to other countries (in Vancouver, councils plant millions of trees, and communities look after them).
One exception to the rule is London, which has around 8 million trees (one for every person!) This makes the city officially a ‘forest’. Read Ghost Trees, a book by Bob Gilbert, who explores the trees and wildlife of this inner city, beginning from Poplar (in the East End where he lives).
Obviously anything made from wood comes from trees, and a lot of wood is from abroad. So protect habitats for all species, try to choose recycled or reclaimed where possible (or tree-free). Read our posts on eco-friendly:
Meet London’s Expert on Street Trees
Paul Wood likely knows more about London’s street trees than anyone else. His book can tell fascinating stories about the living statues in your city – which crams 9 million people alongside 8.5 million trees into a ‘city forest of just 600 square miles.
Plane trees are everywhere. They are the biggest, tallest and oldest trees in central London, easily identified by their monumental size, hand-shaped leaves and bark that flakes off in scales, revealing a patchwork surface akin to camouflage.
Some of the mightiest, are those that grow close to water. Several on the Thames at Richmond are over 40 metres tall, while trees further inland have achieved enormous sizes, like those in the churchyard of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Help Your Community to Plant Trees
Trees for Cities is the main non-profit helping people in England to plant more trees on streets and in urban areas. Which could even help reduce reduce deaths in heatwaves, by reducing temperatures. Use the app to check if your council is signed up, then choose a park or street where you would like trees planted.
The Orchard Project began in London, but now trains volunteers nationwide to plant (and care fore) trees to provide free fruit and nuts for communities. This also helps to restore veteran orchards and create wildlife habitats (leave some fruits for the birds!)
Incredible Edible began in Yorkshire, and is now a worldwide movement to grow and provide free food for communities. Grow herbs at railway stations or vegetable gardens in schools. Local people can help themselves to local fruits off trees, when they want to make a pie!
The Nature of Our Cities is a book by a Dutch ecological engineer, looking at why in a culture that spends 90% of time indoors, planting trees outside has never been more important.
She shows how to identify at-risk neighbourhoods that need more trees, and also profiles intelligent water gardens that protect cities from floods and hurricanes (by using sensors that help trees survive in long hot summers). And can even prevent wildfires from reaching certain areas.
I believe in God. Only I spell it Nature. Frank Lloyd Wright
The Dutch city of Maastricht is lined with enormous trees (the local park is known as The Green Carpet). The trees provide habitats for pipistrelle bats, common swifts, house sparrows and pollinating insects. Road safety has improved, along with air quality and reduced noise pollution.
Canada Plants More Street Trees (than England)
It’s a mystery why Canadian cities have far more tree-growing programs than England. Most of the main cities are walking/cycling friendly with ‘car-free Sundays’ (all vehicles bar emergency vehicles are not allowed on the streets).
The cities’ progressive tree-planting programs reduce heat island effect, and local people volunteer to take care of the trees once planted, and reported any issues or disease.
Keep away from grey/white caterpillars (oak processionary moths that cause allergies and breathing difficulties – contact a doctor/vet if in contact). Cordon off affected trees from livestock and horses. Mostly in London, report to council and Treealert.
Although Canada is twice as big with half the popular, the weather is similar. So we could easily emulate their ideas over here. Cities like Manchester and Sheffield have tree-planting programs, but nothing like on the scale of Vancouver, which is a street tree paradise. Which also helps to absorb rainwater, preventing floods and stormwater pollution.
