Our vision for the London Tree Ring
We have a 25-year vision to create a London Tree Ring around our capital for nature, the planet and you
There are three linked elements to the London Tree Ring vision
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Creating a ring of trees around the capital – a kind of M25 for nature linking existing woodland with the best woodland creation opportunity sites. The proposed route has a length of over 200km.
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Greening key walking and cycling routes. Connecting this outer ring of trees to central London will encourage active travel in a very positive way. Opportunities for tree planting include along the six new routes featured in London’s Leisure Walking Plan of 2022, such as the Capital Ring and Lea Valley Path, plus other routes such as the Parkland Walk in Haringey or the River Crane walk in the southwest.
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Linking the currently most green-deprived areas to green routes and London’s countryside, giving priority to reaching areas where high indicators of multiple deprivation combine with green deprivation. This will be done through creating green radial routes to connect these areas to both the outer ring of trees and to the key walking and cycling ways.
The Tree Ring will deliver a range of vital ecosystem services including:
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carbon capture and storage
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urban cooling
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improving water quality
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improving air quality
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flood risk reduction
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providing locally grown wood and food
Huge population of over 10 million people stand to benefit
Such services are urgently needed as part of our response to the climate and nature crises and to contribute to a better, greener and healthier future for everyone living in and visiting our city.
Around 9.2 million individuals live within the Greater London Area (2026). This population swells to over 10 million on an average day with people coming to work or to visit the city.
