Trees are in the news once again, as the Sycamore Gap tree case reaches the courts with more than £620,000 in estimated criminal damage. It’s a stark reminder of the critical role trees play in our environment — and the deep-rooted connection we have with them.
Although the Sycamore Gap is in a rural location, it demonstrates the importance to society and our culture of our trees and greenspaces.
Urban trees are no less valuable. They clean our air, offer shade and shelter, provide habitats for wildlife, and introduce nature into built environments; shaping the look, feel and function of our towns and cities.
Breaking down the value
Financial
The Woodland Trust reports that air pollution removed by vegetation is worth £12bn to the UK economy, with the aesthetic value of UK woodlands sitting at around £2bn. Urban trees also create more attractive, liveable places - encouraging footfall and investment in towns and city centres.
Environmental
Trees for Cities reports that London’s trees remove 2.4 million tonnes of air pollution each year. According to the Office for National Statistics, this helps prevent the equivalent of 49,126 years of life being lost.
Urban areas generally have significantly worse air quality than rural locations, with pollutant levels often more than double. Urban trees are a natural counter to this, delivering long-term benefits to public health and the environment.
Wellbeing
Around 80% of the UK population lives in towns and cities, with limited access to green space. Urban trees support both physical and mental health; reducing stress, stabilising blood pressure, improving mood, and encouraging activity.
They also provide vital habitats for wildlife, supporting a wider biodiversity that often struggles in built-up areas.
Historic
Trees connect us to our heritage. The national response to the loss of the Sycamore Gap tree; with shared memories of proposals, childhood walks and family days out, showed how trees become part of our personal and cultural stories.
Victorian-era street trees still shape our urban landscape today. The Totteridge Yew in north London is believed to be over 2,000 years old - the oldest living thing in the capital.
Cultivating urban forests
London is considered the largest urban forest in the world, home to more than 8 million trees. As urban planning evolves, architects and developers are increasingly embracing tree planting as part of placemaking and climate resilience.
According to the Met Office, UK cities could see average temperatures rise by 1–6°C by 2050. Research by Friends of the Earth shows that urban trees and green spaces can lower night-time temperatures by up to 5°C, helping cities adapt to rising heat.
Innovation is also changing how we integrate greenery - from vertical gardens and living roofs to green walls, led by organisations like Growing Revolution and advocates such as Richard Sabin.
The Urban Tree Festival celebrates these benefits each year through events, walks, webinars and workshops across the UK. Meanwhile, many local authorities are embedding tree planting programmes into their climate strategies, supported by national funding.
It may take a generation to see the full impact of this growing urban canopy, but the roots are already being laid for greener, healthier, more resilient cities.