Time to join the tree planting revolution

Planting more trees across the UK has become a growing demand as more and more people call for serious steps to be taken to address climate change.

Trees absorb the damaging  carbon dioxide, have a cooling effect, reduce flooding risk, cut pollution and increase biodiversity – providing habitats for birds, mammals and insects among others.

Woods also ofcourse have many beneficial qualities for human beings beyond absorbing CO2, including improving mental and physical health.

Just 13% of the UK is covered by trees, which compares to an EU average of 37%, so there is some way to go.

Friends of the Earth has called for a doubling of tree cover in the UK by 2045, as part of its Climate Action Plan. It is predicted this would remove some 50 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere – some 10% of what is currently produced.

There is certainly much public demand in this area to see more trees planted. Redbridge Council has already made some positive moves, such as the planting of 1000s of trees in Hainault and other parts of the borough. Plans are being worked on now, as to how the tree planting operation can progress, including to the Wanstead area.

Elsewhere Hackney Council has committed to increase its tree canopy cover to 50% by 2022 and 100% by 2024. Many councils have committed to the doubling of tree cover.

Doubling tree cover will ofcourse be a relative thing, depending on how many trees a borough already has in place.

What is important for councils is to ingrain positive climate measures in every aspect of policy. So there needs to be thought going into how green space, including trees, can be included in new developments. And developers must deliver on these commitments.

The idea of green and brownfield areas is also becoming outdated, with the whole land mass now being viewed in terms of sustainable living.

Locally, Cleaner Greener Wanstead recently gave away 200 young sapplings for planting. There are a number of schemes around that people can access to fund tree planting or obtain the trees themselves.

The Woodland Trust has been at the forefront of the tree planting revolution, with its recent TV appeal with naturalist Chris Packham to raise £150,000 to fund 100,000 tree packs, proving successful.

One of the problems in the UK relating to planting more trees is that the land is predominantly privately owned. This means providing motivations and incentives for private citizens to join the tree planting revolution.

This though should not be an insurmountable problem given a growing willingness to plant trees. There maybe some problems in the long term due to shortage of land and also a clash with other priorities such as agricultural production.

In Wanstead, the City of London Corporation own much of the open land – they will no doubt be looking at ways to plant more trees – in areas that are often already well supplied.

Open spaces like golf courses also offer an opportunity to plant trees discreetly around the area.

 So there is much more we can all be doing to increase tree cover in the local area as part of the climate fightback – let’s make sure it happens.

Why not do something for trees at Christmas - plant your own or gift membership of organisations like Friends of the Earth and the Woodland Trust?