Haringey Tree Protectors campaign to protect and preserve mature trees in the London borough of Haringey. As well as raising the alarm on threats to trees locally, we aim to link up with other tree campaigners in villages, towns and cities across the UK, to help build a national coalition of grassroots tree groups. We want to highlight the inestimable value of mature trees in the climate and ecological crises - to help defend us against soaring heat, droughts and floods in the coming years.
Branding by Luke Wass
We all know mature trees are vital for our survival, provide habitat for other species, absorb pollution and carbon, cool our streets as well as dispersing flood water.
But mature trees face increasing threats in the urban environment - from big business, insurance claims, private developers, council planners, as well as residents and landlords on private land and in gardens.
Our sister Tree group is SHIFT - Stop Home Insurers Felling Trees. Do check out their excellent WEBSITE for resources and help if you know of an insurance threat against a tree.
As the brilliant campaign in Sheffield revealed, people care deeply about their local trees and they have become big news. Local action often reveals tree plans that are out-of-date or unfit for purpose in the climate crisis - many read well, but are not always implemented in practice. Over the last 15 years, mature street trees, taken for granted, mismanaged or simply neglected as austerity decreased budgets, fell to the bottom of priority lists.
Planting new trees is the buzzword for politicians at a local and national level, but while careful planting of the right trees in the right places is welcome, it should never replace existing trees. We’re still fundamentally failing to protect the trees already living on our streets, gardens and estates, the mature green giants who’ve been working hard for our lungs and health for decades, even centuries.
Oakfield Road, Stroud Green
We’re fighting to save a 120-year-old Plane Tree in Stroud Green, N4 which is threatened by two insurers Allianz and Aviva and we are hoping will become a test case tree. We desperately need money for the legal campaign.
You can read more about the Oakfield Road plane tree on our Campaigns page, and see updates on our News page. Please consider donating to our crowdfunder.
Threatened Trees Toolkit
Do you know about a tree that’s threatened in your street or area?
We aim to encourage communities to be proactive and campaign to protect local trees themselves. Download our toolkit here, things we’ve experienced and tips we’ve learnt to support you.
Tips/advice/things we’ve learnt for local Tree Actions against insurance claims, development and other threats.
Mature Trees are home to thousands of pollinating insects, vital to our food production.
‘Trees intercept rain water and can combat surface water flooding. They also improve water quality by filtering out pollution. Interception by leaves and stems can reduce the amount of rainfall reaching the ground by as much 45%.2 Grass and tree pits can slow the flow further, reducing runoff by 99% and 60% respectively compared to tarmac.’ (Woodland Trust)
Trees reduce air pollution, quieten noise and keep our cities shaded and cool. Studies show that well planned trees can reduce airborne particulate matter by between 9% and 24%, and can cool an urban area by 2°C.4 The leaves of road-side trees are so good at absorbing pollution that they've even been shown to halve pollution levels inside homes. *Woodland Trust.
Access to nature alleviates stress, stabilises blood pressure and eases anxiety and depression. (Woodland Trust)
Ready to take the next step?
‘CANOPY’ - our new National Tree Coalition group!
Trees need stronger, more robust protections in the climate and biodiversity crisis. That means a change in law so we are co-founders of ‘Canopy’, a National Tree Coalition comprising of groups from Sheffield, Plymouth, Wellingborough, Bristol and Essex.
Click on our News page to hear about our very first zoom meeting and what ideas we have about stronger laws for trees!
“When you know that trees experience pain and have memories and that tree parents live together with their children, then you can no longer just chop them down and disrupt their lives with larger machines.”
— Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World
Let’s work together to save our urban forest.
Be in touch with us if you would like to help volunteer with us or are part of a group that are interested in Canopy, the national tree coalition.