Five trees to plant for a changing climate to protect the planet
Climate action is finally beginning to take centre stage and growing more trees is being encourages.
World leaders have pledged to protect more land from deforestation, but what can individuals or communities do to make a difference?
The environmental benefits of trees range from locking in carbon and attracting wildlife, to reducing flood risk and allowing the planet to breathe.
David White, the Forestry Commission's woodland and climate change adaption adviser, said: "We need to build on the tree planting progress we have made this year and at COP26, and National Tree Week (November 27 - December 5) is the perfect time for people to get involved by joining a planting event in their community or buying a tree for your garden. But it's also important to choose the right tree for the right place, and for the right reasons."
"Whatever tree you choose, make sure to source it from a nursery with clear Plant Health Management Standards, like those with Plant Healthy (planthealthy.org.uk) certification," added Mr White. "Doing so helps protect gardens, forests and ecosystems against destructive plant pests and diseases."
These are Mr White's five favourite trees for tackling and adapting to climate change...
1. Hornbeam - a renewable alternative to fossil fuels
A beautiful native treeit provides shelter, roosting, nesting and foraging opportunities for birds and small mammals, boosting biodiversity, and produces a high-quality fuel for fires - as a replacement for fossil fuels.
2. Eucalyptus - for sequestering carbon
"It's a very fast-growing tree, which locks up carbon all year round and the large leaves act as a natural air conditioning unit," says White.
3. Small-leaved lime tree - for enriching soil and biodiversity
"As they fall and start to decompose, the golden leaves from this handsome tree are brilliant for improving the health of the surrounding soil, supporting other plants to flourish around it," explains White."they are also host to an abundance of insect life, in turn attracting birds and other animals in the food chain, while the flowers have a rich, heavy scent that is especially alluring for bees."
Tree care: This large deciduous tree can grow to over 20 metres, so think carefully about where you plant it. Native to Europe and Britain, it grows best on moist but well-drained, nutrient-rich soils. It needs plenty of sunshine, excellent drainage and improved soil, and shouldn't be exposed to standing water.
4. Serbian spruce - for resistance to pollution in urban areas
"The sweeping branches of this evergreen conifer are designed to shed snow in colder environments, so they can survive in the harshest of landscapes and extreme, cold conditions. They've also shown resistance to air pollution, so can grow in areas with poor air quality," White observes.
5. Holm oak - will survive stormlashed coastal areas and polluted cities
"[Holm oak] is resistant to salt spray from the sea, so is often planted as a windbreak in coastal areas, which are facing tougher weather conditions because of climate change," says White.
Visit righttrees4cc.org.uk to help you decide on the right tree for the right place.