A million new trees for the UK over the next 4 years.

photo credit: bortescristian

The UK coalition government has recently announced plans for the Big Tree Plant campaign which will see a million trees planted in urban communities across the country in the next 4 years. It’s the first national government tree planting campaign in nearly 40 years and the government will work with a number of agencies to ensure that the trees are planted where local people want them to be.

This campaign has to be welcomed as trees can have a major role in how urban communities feel about their area and themselves. Adding a splash of green by tree planting can achieve so many things:

Reduced air pollution
Trees are a great way to reduce the health implications of air pollution. The leaves are able to absorb gaseous pollution and trap it within it cells while small particulate matter comes to rests on leaves and twigs to be washed down to the ground during rainfall. Trees along the roadside or in car parking lots can help to reduce the amount of suspended matter in the air and so reduce respiratory problems in children and adults and other health implications. Some trees are particularly good at reducing specific levels of pollution for example cherry trees are particularly effective at reducing local levels of ozone.
Keeping the city cooler
Urban areas trap heat and they can be much warmer than the surrounding countryside. Not only do the tree canopy provide much needed shade during the day but the impacts of transpiration – or the breathing of trees – can also reduce the local temperature making wooded areas within cities a place to go to cool off.
Reduce noise
Trees along roads, parks, factories and other developments can help to reduce noise for local residents from the activities of the developments.
Reducing crime
I recently ran a story on how the right type of tree choice can play a role in reducing crime in an area. Large well kept trees in an area reduces crime because it gives the appearance of a well maintain area. This implies that local residents are more likely to be aware of what is happening around the area and so reduces crime.
Better mental health
Having access to nature and green spaces have been proven to be beneficial in many studies. Spending time in green spaces have proven to be effective in dealing with anxiety and depression. In one notable study it was shown that girls with views of trees from their bedroom window had better levels of concentration, less acts of impulsive behaviour and where better able to delay gratification behaviour than girls with no view of trees. There are also studies which show that trees and green spaces can help tackle some issues associated with ADHD.
Aids economic activity
Trees play a big part in civic pride and in the appearance of an urban area. Studies have shown that property in a well landscaped area with mature well maintained trees can fetch prices up to 15% higher than the same in a non-tree area. Office and commercial properties in a wooded area are also much easier to rent and command higher rents. It’s also known that offices and developments in wooded areas have higher productivity and lower sick leave than the same types of industries in treeless environments. Studies have also shown that shoppers spend longer shopping in areas that are tree lined.
Benefits local wildlife
Replanting trees in urban areas will help to encourage wildlife back into the cities and will encourage a much more diverse local ecology. Additional trees will be especially beneficial in brings a wider range of bird species back into urban areas.

This new tree planting campaign has the possibility to regenerate many urban areas and bring back pride to many local communities. the community though has to be involved in the planning and implementation of the programme. In particular we need to ensure that young people are involved as there is a very real danger that the programme can come to a grinding halt in some areas due to vandalism. I remember a few years back when the Black Country Urban Forest was being planted there was a lot of damage to newly planted saplings caused by vandalism.