Ministers will today urge all councils to match the standards of the best to protect their local tree populations. The largest ever survey of urban trees in England, published today, will reveal that although national tree health has improved markedly since the last survey in 1992, with trees being maintained much more regularly by councils, there has been a decline in the number of older trees in towns and cities and overall planting rates of new trees has fallen.
Trees play a key role in reducing the impacts of climate change in urban areas and are important to residents of towns and cities. The report found that most trees make a considerable or outstanding contribution to the quality of neighbourhoods.
The survey, of nearly 150 towns across England, will show just 11 per cent of trees in towns are between 50 and 100 years old and just two per cent are over 100 years old. England's 'top tree' is the Leyland cypress, which is mainly used for hedges - accounting for more than 1 in 10 of all trees. These are followed by hawthorn and sycamore, more commonly seen as individual trees.
The report, written by ADAS and Myerscough College, suggests 10 ways in which all councils can match the standards of the best. The survey is the most detailed picture ever of the quantity and quality of England's urban trees. It includes 590 plots, including streets, public parks, schools, churchyards, allotments and private gardens across 147 towns and cities.
Although some councils are already managing their tree stock well, findings show that many local authorities lack basic information about the nature and extent of the trees and woodlands in their district.
Communities Minister Iain Wright said: "Towns need trees. This report shows many councils are doing great work - but I'd like to see all councils aspiring to the standards of the best. Trees are a key feature of the British landscape across our town and cities and I am concerned about such a wide disparity in how they are looked after. The recommendations set out in the report we are publishing today give Local Authorities an approach which will help them ensure we safeguard our trees and ensure the character of local communities is preserved for future generations."
