The stumped Britons who don’t know their ash from their elder
BRITONS have proved that they are clueless about trees – and some even think money grows on them.
A poll of 2,000 UK adults found six in 10 could not identify leaf shapes of maple and oak trees, 36 per cent could not tell the difference between an ash and an elder and a quarter have no idea which trees grow conkers.
A third cannot name the Christmas tree species and 62 per cent do not know birch from beech.
Almost a fifth think wifi is more important than trees and 16 per cent have no idea what benefit trees bring to the planet.
The research was commissioned by utility firm Npower to mark National Tree Week, which ends on Sunday.
Laura McNamee, of Npower, said: “Although we love our trees, the nation’s knowledge on one of our most vital natural assets is lacking.”
The research found the average Briton can name just five types of tree – with more than a third believing there is such a thing as a money tree.
So perhaps it comes as no surprise that two-thirds wish they knew more about trees than they currently do. More than a fifth of parents admit they struggle to answer when asked by their children to identify species and one in 10 UK adults say they have even lied in order to appear more knowledgeable.
But the research, carried out by OnePoll, found that 90 per cent enjoy looking at or being around trees.
Fifty-eight per cent feel calmer when near to them, four in 10 feel happier and one in 10 even feel relieved. But despite this, 27 per cent have never climbed a tree. Ms McNamee said: aren’t just for aesthetics.
“They can have a huge impact in our local area too, from reducing noise and air pollution to providing habitats for new wildlife to thrive.
“That’s why, together with Trees for Cities, we plant a tree for every customer who signs up to our Go Green tariff.
“We’ve planted over 100,000 trees throughout the UK during the last year and will continue to plant thousands more during National Tree Week.” “Trees