#BigClimateFightback – Plant trees to tackle climate change

Tue, Jan 7, 2020

The Woodland Trust is asking one million people to each plant a native UK tree to fight climate change after the government failed to meet targets.

‘Big Climate Fightback’ campaign has been launched after figures showed just 1,420 hectares (3,500 acres) of woodland were created in England last year, far short of the 5,000-a-year (12,000 acres) promised. https://campaigns.woodlandtrust.org.uk/page/46713/data/1?locale=en-GB

Trees are vital to the future of our planet as they soak up harmful carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/26/trees-to-combat-climate-change

You can plant trees in many different locations but it is important to understand a few key points to make sure they have the best chance of survival: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49164316?fbclid=IwAR3P98zkTcqZjylM2nsVBVowCl53h_im7rxnSHJJc-TfuxK-K3X2DnYVb98

Trees help to tackle climate change, protect wildlife and provide benefits for people, according to the Woodland Trust. Find out more about why trees are so important and make your planting selections:

Check out these wonderful FREE TREES on offer from The Woodland Trust if you want to plant trees in a community or a school. http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/free-trees/.

These beautiful trees in Russell Square in London look stunning in the evening light. They bring well-being to the many visitors who regularly enjoy this very special natural space in Bloomsbury, even though it is surrounded by buildings and traffic.

Remember “Trees eat Co2 for breakfast” so they are vital in the fight against climate change and we need millions more as the climate heats over the next 50 years.

Check out The Woodland Trust website to find out more about climate change and trees and to get involved with planting millions more UK trees.#EveryTreeCounts

Thanks

Deborah Scott Anderson @ClimateGarden

Trees

This post was written by:

Debbie - who has written 872 posts on My Climate Change Garden.

I am not an experienced gardener - more of an enthusiastic amateur who learns by trial and error and who is keen to "manage" the effects of shifting weather patterns on my garden. Writing this blog is my passion and it has evolved over 12 years to inspire engagement with climate change outside our back doors, in our personal gardens and green spaces. My mission is to fertilise and expand this platform to grow a community of global gardeners communicating about the effects of climate change on our plants and exploring how each individual can make small changes in our lives to become more sustainable. The future of our gardens and #OurPlanet is in our hands - please plant your own seeds for our collective sustainable future.

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3 Comments For This Post

Michael Scott Says:
January 18th, 2014 at 12:10 pm

Absolutely right Debbie! There is nothing better any of us can do for the future of this planet and to halt climate change than to plant trees. UK needs 20m new trees a year as you say – can I offer this small tip for urban tree planting? Many, many trees die of drought in the first summer after they are planted – why? because their roots have usually been restricted in pots before they are planted, so they havent got the root area from which to pull water. Even one week without rain in summer can kill a newly planted tree – even in rainy old UK! So, water, water water your new trees for two years at all times when lots of rain isnt falling. Also, all expensive areas to live in are full of trees – so if you want to increase the value of your home and area – plant more trees!

Mackenzie Says:
January 26th, 2016 at 6:46 am

Yes Debbie, you are absolutely right: trees are desperately needed.
Michael – I think you got it all backwards with trees and the property prices. It’s not the trees that drove up the prices of those homes. Rather, it’s rich people living in those homes who are responsible for the ‘forestation’ of their neighbourhoods 🙂

jo boissevain Says:
January 23rd, 2018 at 12:22 pm

I’ve noticed that architects and planners in Southwark (where I live) are increasingly hesitant to plan and plant trees, in spite of all the obvious connections with health and well-being. They prefer planters instead. As Michael says, there is a direct correlation between property values and the presence of trees. You would think that, financially speaking alone, developers would therefore recognise the wisdom of landscaping.

Michael Scott Says:
January 18th, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Absolutely right Debbie! There is nothing better any of us can do for the future of this planet and to halt climate change than to plant trees. UK needs 20m new trees a year as you say – can I offer this small tip for urban tree planting? Many, many trees die of drought in the first summer after they are planted – why? because their roots have usually been restricted in pots before they are planted, so they havent got the root area from which to pull water. Even one week without rain in summer can kill a newly planted tree – even in rainy old UK! So, water, water water your new trees for two years at all times when lots of rain isnt falling. Also, all expensive areas to live in are full of trees – so if you want to increase the value of your home and area – plant more trees!
Mackenzie Says:
January 26th, 2016 at 6:46 am
Yes Debbie, you are absolutely right: trees are desperately needed.
Michael – I think you got it all backwards with trees and the property prices. It’s not the trees that drove up the prices of those homes. Rather, it’s rich people living in those homes who are responsible for the ‘forestation’ of their neighbourhoods 🙂
jo boissevain Says:
January 23rd, 2018 at 12:22 pm
I’ve noticed that architects and planners in Southwark (where I live) are increasingly hesitant to plan and plant trees, in spite of all the obvious connections with health and well-being. They prefer planters instead. As Michael says, there is a direct correlation between property values and the presence of trees. You would think that, financially speaking alone, developers would therefore recognise the wisdom of landscaping.

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