The Real and Future

Benefits of Trees

Michael Barker BSc (Hons). Cert Arb.Tech Cert.Dip Arb L6 (ABC) M Arbor A

Arboricultural and landscape consultant.

Trees bring:Shelter,shade,calm

traffic and collect dust

Trees are under pressure:

• Ash die back.

• Oak processionary moth

• Sweet chestnut gall wasp

• Massaria of London plane

• Bleeding horse chestnut canker

The causes of tree diseases?

• Imported tree stock: 2012 -2013 2.5 million. 2013-14 3 million. The spread of global diseases

• Climate change: Water stress leads to weak trees susceptible to disease.

• Poor planting and management during the early years.

• Poor tree husbandry to manage diseases. Improved through clearing leaves, mulching around tree roots and use of soil/tree amendments.

Climate change?

• Lyon in France in 100 years will have a summer temperature increase to similar to Algiers.

• The biodiversity associated with out current climate moves 150 miles north for every 2-3 degrees Celsius rise in temperature

• Planting trees now should be species that can tolerate the projected new climate.

• Trees are essential to manage urban heat islands to provide shade and green cooling.

Real tree benefits within the

urban forest? “Cradle to grave”

• Lower number of low birth rates when trees are present.

• Schools with a view of nature=increased learning performance

• Large trees =Reduced crime…reduced vandalism

• The level of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases is tree dependent.

• Forest bathing: Reduces nerves, lowers stress, better immune, lower pulse rate and blood pressure

• Workplace attention and meetings “walk and talk” better with trees

• Hospital healing gardens; park runs=reduced depression=obesity reduced

• Hygiene hypothesis=soil bacteria…increased serotonin…childrens immunity

• Elderly less illness, lower mortality and treatment for dementia

Tree species selection for the

urban environment

• Site assessment of soils,space,microclimate,soil pollution, soil chemistry and nutrients.

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Your favourite tree?

• We have all had a tree that was important to us?

• Our children need them.

•Thankyou.

•Questions…?