Conservationists are concerned over hotter days and reduced rainfall.
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While many across London welcome the longer days and hotter temperatures, the ongoing drought causes worry amongst conservationists.
City News spoke to Kevin Martin, an arboriculturalist at Kew Gardens, who stated the need to pay greater attention to preserving trees across the nations capital.
Martin mentioned the “urban island effect”, which impacts areas such as London, causing cities to experience even hotter temperatures than the rest of the country.
The urban island effect means London is experiencing warmer temperatures
According to Martin, there are many cases of surface run off in London, meaning less water is absorbed by the ground and by trees in areas across London.
Adding to the current reduction in rainfall, the water demand will be more pressing, and many species of tree in London will come under threat.
“I think we’re gonna see high mortality rates start to build now over the next 10-20 years”.
Kevin Martin, arboriculturalist
Martin referred to the frequency of drought in the UK, and how this will increase the urgency for planting new trees.
Spreading awareness across different branches
When asked about how we can spread awareness on this pressing issue, Martin acknowledged that
Former National Trust Ranger, Mark Haynes, spoke to City News, and emphasized that the answer to this issue was urban planning.
He referred to the anti-pollution schemes headed by the mayor, Sadiq Khan; “There’s a massive thing in London about air pollution”. Haynes stressed that trees were a major benefit in mitigating air pollution.
“There’s just so many benefits, I don’t think they can be ignored”
Mark Haynes, former Ranger
In London, Martin indicated what kind of measures need to be considered “We also have to understand the need to how we replant trees”, adding “We need to look after our soils”.
Planting trees can contribute to the anti-pollution drive, says Mark Haynes
How aware have we been to this issue in the past?
Current research has shown that at the Kew gardens collection, where Martin works, by 2100 approximately 50 per cent of trees in their collection will be vulnerable.
In the non-academic community, the Urban Tree Festival is one such initiative to bolster public awareness and support for tree conservation.
Martin alluded to the Sycamore Gap tree felling, which occurred in September last year, and explained why putting trees in the media was important to highlighting the current issues faced by conservationists.
In some cases, accidental tree felling in London has posed a setback in the drive to increase conservation.
An incident last year saw the accidental demolition of 4,000 whips. City News approached Havering council for comment. Their response is as follows:
“Havering Council had worked with Trees for Havering to establish the Harrow Lodge Park site for conservation. Unfortunately, due to an operational error the Whips (young trees) were accidently cut as a result.
“We apologised and communicated with Trees for Havering at the time, which included replanting a number of trees as part of the Councils commitment to re-establish the area.”
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Standfirst
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HeadlineConcerns over London’s trees grown
Short HeadlineClimate change is threatening the future survival of London trees
StandfirstSunny spells and increased temperatures are welcome news for some, but some species of tree in London are going to be hit.
While many across London welcome the longer days and hotter temperatures, the ongoing drought causes worry amongst conservationists.
City News spoke to Kevin Martin, an arboriculturalist at Kew Gardens, who stated the need to pay greater attention to preserving trees across the nations capital.
Martin mentioned the “urban island effect”, which impacts areas such as London, causing cities to experience even hotter temperatures than the rest of the country.
The urban island effect means London is experiencing warmer temperatures
According to Martin, there are many cases of surface run off in London, meaning less water is absorbed by the ground and by trees in areas across London.
Adding to the current reduction in rainfall, the water demand will be more pressing, and many species of tree in London will come under threat.
“I think we’re gonna see high mortality rates start to build now over the next 10-20 years”.
Kevin Martin, arboriculturalist
Martin referred to the frequency of drought in the UK, and how this will increase the urgency for planting new trees.
Spreading awareness across different branches
When asked about how we can spread awareness on this pressing issue, Martin acknowledged that
Former National Trust Ranger, Mark Haynes, spoke to City News, and emphasized that the answer to this issue was urban planning.
He referred to the anti-pollution schemes headed by the mayor, Sadiq Khan; “There’s a massive thing in London about air pollution”. Haynes stressed that trees were a major benefit in mitigating air pollution.
“There’s just so many benefits, I don’t think they can be ignored”
Mark Haynes, former Ranger
In London, Martin indicated what kind of measures need to be considered “We also have to understand the need to how we replant trees”, adding “We need to look after our soils”.
Planting trees can contribute to the anti-pollution drive, says Mark Haynes
How aware have we been to this issue in the past?
Current research has shown that at the Kew gardens collection, where Martin works, by 2100 approximately 50 per cent of trees in their collection will be vulnerable.
In the non-academic community, the Urban Tree Festival is one such initiative to bolster public awareness and support for tree conservation.
Martin alluded to the Sycamore Gap tree felling, which occurred in September last year, and explained why putting trees in the media was important to highlighting the current issues faced by conservationists.
In some cases, accidental tree felling in London has posed a setback in the drive to increase conservation.
An incident last year saw the accidental demolition of 4,000 whips. City News approached Havering council for comment. Their response is as follows:
“Havering Council had worked with Trees for Havering to establish the Harrow Lodge Park site for conservation. Unfortunately, due to an operational error the Whips (young trees) were accidently cut as a result.
“We apologised and communicated with Trees for Havering at the time, which included replanting a number of trees as part of the Councils commitment to re-establish the area.”
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