So much more than “just a tree”

The Sycamore Gap felling has brought the debate around the importance of trees into the headlines. Here we explain why we need them and how, through the London Tree Ring, you can help protect them

The trial of the men accused of criminally felling the 100-year old Sycamore Gap tree is ongoing. Both deny the charge and are shocked by the uproar caused by cutting down what they’ve described as “just a tree”.

But like so many ancient trees, this sycamore had stood for over a century and played a huge role in its surroundings. So its felling and accompanied disregard for its importance, very similar to that of the Whitewebbs Oak, has upset many people.

More than just trees

CPRE London believes that trees are more than JUST trees and have many benefits for us, our wildlife and our planet. They can:

• help lessen the impact of climate change by storing carbon and acting as flood defences.
• provide somewhere for moths, birds, bats, dormice, butterflies and fungi to feed, breed and thrive.
• boost our health and wellbeing by keeping our atmosphere rich in oxygen, filtering pollutants, shading our streets and even improving our immunity and offering relief from the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• help farmers by sheltering livestock from adverse weather and heat, improving soil health and preventing soil erosion.

Stronger protections

“While all trees are vital in tackling climate change and protecting nature, a mature tree can store a lot more carbon and support far more wildlife than a new one,” explains Phil Paulo, London Tree Ring Director. “It is a tragedy that we are losing ancient trees like this and it is a priority of the London Tree Ring project to strengthen protection for our existing  trees, as well as planting new ones.”

The London Tree Ring aims to create a continuous tree ring encircling the capital, grow tree cover along key radial walking and cycling routes and develop branches off greened radial routes that reach right into the city’s most green-deprived neighbourhoods. There are many ways that you can get involved with the project and help protect our existing trees and plant news ones for the benefit of our capital and our planet.

Find out how you can get involved with the London Tree Ring here

If you have questions on the loss of individual trees, email London Tree Ring Steering Group partner, the Woodland Trust, on enquiries@woodlandtrust.org.uk