National Tree Week: Why Our Landscapes Matter

November 26, 2024

National Tree Week is a UK-wide celebration encouraging people to appreciate the natural beauty of their local area, get involved in environmental groups, tree planting, and learn more about the natural wonder of trees. National Tree Week takes place at the end of November every year to mark the beginning of the winter tree-planting season.

With various events occurring nationwide, from school tree plantings to long-distance walks around the countryside, the National Tree Council is urging us to get involved!

To celebrate National Tree Week, we’re going to shed light on the UK’s native trees and why they matter to the environment.

Native Trees in the UK:

Britain and Ireland have over 30 native tree species, some examples include:

Ash:

Ash is one of the most common trees found in the UK, one of the larger trees in the UK. Ash trees can reach heights of up to 35m tall. Identifiable by its smooth twigs, and black buds, with opposite pairs of light green and oval-shaped leaves. Fun fact, unlike many other trees, ash leaves fall when they are still green.

Ash is a dioecious tree, which means that both male and female flowers grow on different trees, these male and female flowers are purple and grow in clusters at the end of the twigs.

Uses:

Over the years, Ash has been predominantly used for making hardwearing products such as tools and sports handles such as hammers and hockey sticks. Ash is also considered one of the more visually appealing styles of wood and therefore is also used for furniture and ornaments in homes.

Ash dieback:

Ash trees are facing a deadly disease in the UK called ash dieback. An Asian fungus that grows on fallen leaves producing white bodies that release spores into the atmosphere, these spores then blow away and land on leaves, resulting in the fungus growing inside the healthy tree, blocking its water systems and leading to the trees' deterioration.

It’s important to keep an eye out for ash dieback so that environmental bodies can be made aware of such devastation. Symptoms of ash dieback include;

Leaves developing dark patches during the summer
Wilting black leaves
Leaves shedding early
Inner bark looks like a brownish-grey
New growth from dormant buds further down the tree.

Beech:

Known as the queen of Britain’s' trees, Beech is one of the UK’s most common trees. Growing up to heights of 40m, it’s leaves are a bright lime green with fine hairs, they have long stalks and are pointed at the tip with a waved edge, as the leaves mature they lose their silky hair. Both male and female flowers can grow on a beech tree. This tree forms fruits called beechnuts, a small triangular shaped nut, they are high in oil and mineral content, however, they do contain toxins such as ‘Fagin’ that can cause those who ingest them to suffer from an upset stomach.

Uses:

Beech has a variety of uses, these include:

Making furniture such as chairs.
Flooring
Firewood
Planted as a hedging plant for parks and gardens, as leaves provide year-round cover.
Musical instruments, such as piano pin blocks and drums.

Oak:

The Oak Tree is a UK favourite, growing to heights between 20 to 40m. Oak trees are broad with sturdy thick branches. Unlike Ash and Beech, Oak Leaves are arranged like spirals, no leaf is quite like the other, some may appear rough whilst others could be smooth, these leaves vary in length and in autumn the oak's luscious green leaves turn a yellow-brown colour.

Acorns are the fruit of the oak tree, and they contain the seeds that grow new oak trees, therefore all the acorns we see scattered on the ground during autumn are essential to the lifecycle and overall existence of these trees.

Fun fact: Only one acorn in 10,000 will actually grow into a tree!

Uses:

Oak is widely used for many different purposes worldwide, these include:

Buildings and infrastructure, oak is a strong material used for framing and beams, found in many houses in the UK.
Furniture, such as chairs, tables, bed frames, and doors.
Landscaping: Used for fencing and decking.
Wine Barrels: Due to its resistance to shrinkage.
Tanning: One of the more obscure uses for oak is the bark was used to prepare tanning solutions; however, chemical alternatives have replaced the bark nowadays.

Why our local landscapes matter:

As well as adding vibrance and colour to the UK’s overall landscape, trees have several benefits, these include:

Climate Change: Trees are a defense against the climate crisis, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, and store this carbon throughout their lifespan, filtering the pollutants in the air and releasing oxygen.
Biodiversity: Trees play a huge role in supporting biodiversity, many living organisms rely on woodland, trees, hedges, and plants to exist. Trees provide homes and breeding grounds for various species including birds, insects, and microorganisms. Trees also support ecosystems in maintaining the balance of food chains, provide shade, improve soil fertility, and help regulate temperature, benefitting the species within these ecosystems.
Health and well-being: Spending time in nature helps boost our physical and mental well-being in so many ways. Studies have shown that time in nature such as walking amongst trees and wildlife directly correlates to a decrease/relief of anxiety and depression. Spending time outside allows us to be more active, long walks, runs, and various other outdoor activities allow us to improve our physical health.

Fun Fact: Research has discovered that chemicals called phytoncides which are released by plants and trees, strengthen our immune, hormonal, circulatory, and nervous systems.

Improve urban spaces: Urban areas are heavily affected by poor air quality due to pollution. Planting trees in these areas helps clean the air, as it has been proven that trees can reduce pollution by up to 50%. Trees also create attractive environments for business prospects and create a space that the public would like to visit, boosting the area's local economy.

How do we protect our trees?

Legislation: Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) is a written order to protect trees and woodland areas from felling. You can apply to your local council if a tree you admire is at risk. An emergency TPO will prevent the tree from being chopped down, whilst the council investigates the situation.
Conservation Areas: Local planning authorities designate conservation areas to large natural areas to protect these natural landscapes from felling and urbanisation. The council must be made aware of and approve any work to be done on this area of land.
Get planting: Whether you have acres of land or it’s just your back garden, choosing to plant anything will have a positive impact on our environment. The government offer several tree planting schemes, an example of this being the England Woodland Creation Offer, a scheme that supports landowners in creating new woodland, doing so by providing funding to these projects.

FAQs:

What is National Tree Week, and how can I get involved?
National Tree Week is the UK's largest annual tree celebration, marking the start of the winter tree-planting season. It involves events and activities across the country to encourage tree planting and raise awareness about the importance of trees. You can get involved by:
Joining Local Planting Events: Check for events in your area.
Hosting Your Own Event: Organize a tree-planting day in your community.
Spreading the Word: Use social media and local networks to promote the week’s activities and share why trees matter.

What are some common native trees in the UK?
Some common native trees in the UK include:
Oak
Ash
Beech
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris): The only native pine in the UK, essential for certain wildlife like the red squirrel.
Silver Birch (Betula pendula): A pioneer species with distinctive white bark, often the first to take over new or disturbed land

How can I help protect and preserve trees in the UK?
You can help protect and preserve trees by:
Planting Native Trees: Choose native species for your garden or community spaces.
Supporting Conservation Efforts: Join or donate to organisations like the Woodland Trust or The Tree Council.
Participating in Tree Surveys
Educating Others: Spread awareness about the importance of trees and how to protect them.

What are ancient woodlands, and why are they important?
Ancient woodlands are areas that have been continuously wooded since 1600AD. They are incredibly important because they have developed complex ecosystems that cannot be easily recreated. They often host rare and diverse species of plants, animals, and fungi, and have historical and cultural value.