Clacton-on-Sea the worst performing town or city in England for tree equity
Woodland Trust have marked the area as critically low, with not enough trees to protect the population from air pollution, heat, and ill-health
Clacton-on-Sea in Essex has been identified as the worst-performing town for tree equity in England, with nearly its entire population residing in areas of critically low tree cover.
Millions of people in urban areas across the UK are living in "tree deserts," lacking sufficient tree cover to safeguard them from issues like air pollution, heat, and ill health, campaigners from the Woodland Trust warn.
In comparison, areas such as Winchester and St Albans in the south-east offer ample tree cover for their residents.
Trees play a pivotal role in urban environments by providing shade, reducing flooding, and alleviating stress, among other benefits.
The Woodland Trust stresses the importance of trees in promoting wildlife, increasing property values, and fostering healthy lifestyles.
However, many towns and cities fall short in providing adequate tree cover, exposing residents to potential health risks and environmental harm.
There's a stark contrast in tree equity across the country, with the north of England particularly lagging in urban tree coverage.
Caroline Gray, Woodland Trust tree equity programme officer, stated, “More than a million people in the UK are living in these ‘tree deserts,’ places of critically low tree equity where communities are missing out on the many benefits trees provide."
Gray emphasised that low tree cover is a problem that can be addressed, urging efforts to incorporate trees into urban development plans and to protect existing trees.
"We must get trees into the greyest of UK streets and embed them into plans for new developments, so that all communities can benefit from greener, healthier and more resilient places to live," Gray said.
The Woodland Trust is calling for increased tree planting alongside stronger protections for existing trees, aiming to ensure long-term benefits for urban populations.
Gray urged a shift in perspective, to regard trees as essential green infrastructure, akin to traffic lights and utilities.