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Tree priority

Trees add enormously to the quality of city life. They make cities look more friendly less aggressive places. They provide shade, cooling the air temperature on hot days. They help improve the air quality provide food and shelter for wildlife. They make us happier and healthier so we should give them a much greater priority. And this means money, commitment, education and imagination. We need to think about trees as part of the essential structure of our city not an occasional add on. Roads and pavements could be designed to allow proper space for trees, maybe roads could be renamed after the tree species planted in them!

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Suggested by Greg becker


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Comments (14)

Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

It appears that the current Mayor is not interested in trees or greenery. As a pretty elusive individual, he seems to approve development all over the place.

Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

Could I suggest choosing species that support wildlife, and some evergreen trees to reduce leaf fall on the pavement

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Central and local government's obsession with concreting over the whole of London in pursuit of their housebuilding targets has to stop. Far too many development applications are approved that sanction the destruction of healthy mature...

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Central and local government's obsession with concreting over the whole of London in pursuit of their housebuilding targets has to stop. Far too many development applications are approved that sanction the destruction of healthy mature trees in exchange for the token planting of a few saplings that in no way compensate for the trees that have been lost.

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In Enfield, the Council cut down some very mature street trees to make way for Cycle Lanes.
They did plant an equivalent amount of small trees, but it will be decades before they grow to a size where they absorb as much pollution.
How is...

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In Enfield, the Council cut down some very mature street trees to make way for Cycle Lanes.
They did plant an equivalent amount of small trees, but it will be decades before they grow to a size where they absorb as much pollution.
How is this improving air quality?

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It's always really upsetting to see healthy mature trees being removed. I suppose in this case at least there could be some air quality benifits from encouraging more cycling as opposed to cars. Hopefully the replacement trees will be...

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It's always really upsetting to see healthy mature trees being removed. I suppose in this case at least there could be some air quality benifits from encouraging more cycling as opposed to cars. Hopefully the replacement trees will be allowed to reach maturity.

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

Well, apparently, the green canopy is supposed to be increased. Cannot see any evidence, in fact the contrary: Trees being pollarded to smitherines everywhere.

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In my area (East dulwich in Southwark) some new trees have been planted but so far only enough to replace the ones that have been removed. The number of street trees could be significantly increased in many parts of London if the genuine...

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In my area (East dulwich in Southwark) some new trees have been planted but so far only enough to replace the ones that have been removed. The number of street trees could be significantly increased in many parts of London if the genuine commitment and finance from the local councils was there.

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

I'd like to see a massive tree planting in all streets and more on green spaces that are left with just grass. Orchards, native trees for birds. Small forests could achieve a huge amount.

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I'd like to see greater community involvement with street tree planting. If this is done with enough time, thought, funding and sensitivity it could really help the general awareness of the natural world and how plant diversity can improve...

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I'd like to see greater community involvement with street tree planting. If this is done with enough time, thought, funding and sensitivity it could really help the general awareness of the natural world and how plant diversity can improve the urban environment.

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

Under the current Johnson regime, you will never get this: He is more interested in restituting the "mortgage market", having already removed subsidies for electric cars and solar panel. Would not hold my breath.

Avatar for - Colombian spotted frog

Couldn’t agree more. Haringey Council have aggressively removed trees from roads round us and not replaced. All in the name of allowing high sided vehicles which are totally inappropriate on residential streets to move freely. Result has...

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Couldn’t agree more. Haringey Council have aggressively removed trees from roads round us and not replaced. All in the name of allowing high sided vehicles which are totally inappropriate on residential streets to move freely. Result has been a horrible hot, barren dust bowl in summer. Trees help clean the air, cool the pavements making it more pleasant to walk and provide a public amenity. If we improve our streets a d. And the. More welcoming to people instead of motor vehicles, the benefits are huge.

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Avatar for - Vaquita

Was about to say the same thing about Haringey Council. We need a mechanism to stop councils from chopping down trees willy-nilly. They are even chopping down trees in Finsbury Park. And lots more re-planting!

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Was about to say the same thing about Haringey Council. We need a mechanism to stop councils from chopping down trees willy-nilly. They are even chopping down trees in Finsbury Park. And lots more re-planting!

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I think it's going to be difficult for trees to compete with cars in terms of perceived importance. Cars bring obvious practical benifits and have become fully integrated into the way we live our lives. So perhaps the way live and the...

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I think it's going to be difficult for trees to compete with cars in terms of perceived importance. Cars bring obvious practical benifits and have become fully integrated into the way we live our lives. So perhaps the way live and the expections we have need to change before society puts trees nearer the top of its priority list. It can happen!

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

Used to live in Haringey for 20 years: They were useless, more interested in their politics of furthering their preferred choice of people. Glad to no longer be part of it. I wish you the best of luck with that borough.

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