An expert from Kew Gardens has advised London to learn from Sweden’s methods for safeguarding urban trees against drought and diseases, during a presentation to local politicians.

At the London Assembly’s environment committee meeting, Kevin Martin highlighted that many tree species currently planted in the city are not well-suited to urban conditions.

Mr. Martin, who oversees tree collections and arboriculture at Kew Gardens, shared his observations from Malmö, Sweden, noting, “They are significantly more advanced in their approaches compared to what we are doing here in London.”

He indicated a significant cultural transformation is underway regarding tree conservation. The Local Democracy Reporting Service mentioned his reference to the public backlash over the removal of a historic oak in Enfield and the outrage over the destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland as signs of growing public awareness and interest in forestry.

“I really think we must continue to advocate for this issue and ensure it remains prominent in public discourse; if it fades from the headlines, it will be forgotten,” he cautioned the Assembly.

He urged members to “carefully consider species selection,” highlighting the struggles London’s trees face due to climate change-induced droughts and diseases. He proposed the idea of planting species adaptable to drought conditions. Furthermore, he noted that Swedish practices include creating their own soil to retain moisture more effectively during rains.

“They are utilizing a mixture of perlite and biochar, alongside organic mulch, and they are genuinely invested in this approach, expanding their planting pits,” he explained.

Mr. Martin emphasized that there are numerous strategies we must explore to successfully establish trees in London. According to the Greater London Authority, London is home to one of the world’s largest urban forests, with around 8.4 million trees scattered across public and private lands.

He acknowledged the undeniable reality that London functions as a substantial urban heat island, where temperatures typically exceed those of surrounding rural areas.

Assembly member Keith Prince recalled that before his election, Sir Sadiq Khan had vowed to plant two million trees in his initial term, although this commitment did not materialize in his official manifesto.

Abby Crisostomo, the head of green infrastructure at City Hall, reiterated Sir Sadiq’s dedication to increasing London’s tree canopy by 10%. Since his election in 2016, more than 600,000 new trees have already been funded for planting.