In the midst of a heatwave and severe drought in Britain 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 split from the tree, a sign of stress according to the workers at Mitcham Community Orchard.
Hariramani, who showcases fruit trees and their caretakers across London on her social media account Fruity Walks, explained that the extreme heat was causing the trees to struggle to provide enough water to all their parts, leading to some parts breaking off.
While London is famous for its stone architecture, the city is also known for its extensive urban forest, considered one of the largest globally. However, this year has been challenging for the lush canopy due to consecutive heatwaves and a significant lack of rainfall.
A recent report from Royal Botanic Gardens Kew predicts that by the end of the century, 73% of London’s trees could be at risk of dying due to the effects of climate change. The Kew Gardens tree collections team, in collaboration with the Greater London Authority, assessed over a million public trees and found that a majority of them are currently ill-suited to future climate conditions.
In response to the escalating climate crisis, experts are considering planting different tree species in London as temperatures rise. Joe Richomme, a botanical horticulturist at Kew Gardens, mentioned that by 2050, London’s climate is expected to resemble that of Barcelona today, prompting the need for more heat-resistant tree species.
Paul Wood, an author specializing in London’s trees, expressed concerns about the impact of extreme heat and drought on the city’s historic woodlands. Ancient trees in places like Highgate Woods and Hampstead Heath, some as old as 1,000 years, are facing unprecedented challenges, threatening not just their historical significance but also the biodiversity they sustain.
The plight of London’s urban forest serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action to protect the city’s invaluable green spaces and iconic trees.