In the midst of a heatwave and prolonged drought in the UK this summer, Divya Hariramani was trimming a plum tree in south London when she noticed an issue with one of its branches.
The branch was starting to detach from the tree, a sign of stress according to the workers at Mitcham Community Orchard. Hariramani, who showcases fruit trees and their caretakers in London on her social media account called Fruity Walks, explained that the extreme heat was causing the trees to struggle in providing enough water to all their parts, leading to branches dropping.
Although London is renowned for its ancient stone structures, the city also boasts a vast urban forest, considered one of the world’s largest. However, the urban canopy has suffered this year due to five consecutive heatwaves and a significant lack of rainfall, putting a strain on plants and wildlife.
A recent report from the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew warns that climate change poses a severe threat to London’s trees, with projections suggesting that 73% of the city’s trees could be at risk of dying by the end of the century.
The impact of climate change on London’s trees is already visible, with 62% of public trees deemed unsuitable for future climate conditions and nearly 11% considered vulnerable. In 2022, 400 trees at Kew Gardens perished due to extreme heat and drought, underscoring the immediate consequences of climate change.
Kew Gardens recently unveiled a red tree symbolizing the effects of climate change on London’s trees, coinciding with Climate Action Week. The exceptionally dry conditions in Britain have led to crop losses, food scarcity warnings, and wildfires, further highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change.
With London’s temperature expected to rise beyond the tolerance of current tree species, experts are considering planting more resilient tree varieties. Botanists are evaluating tree species that can thrive in hotter, drier climates while enduring England’s wet winters.
Paul Wood, a prominent author on London’s trees, expressed concerns about the future of the city’s iconic tree population. Wood emphasized the historical and ecological significance of London’s ancient woodlands and stressed the irreplaceable nature of these invaluable ecosystems.