Over half of boroughs saw a reduction in tree cover according to 2018 and 2024 reports for the Greater London Authority, despite targets to increase it in the city from consecutive Mayors.
In total, 53% of boroughs saw a decline, with Havering the borough which saw the greatest reduction in coverage.
In 2018 its coverage was above the London average at 25%, but by 2024 it was 14%, while Havering Council accidentally cut down 4,000 new trees in December 2023.
Trees for Havering founder Adam Ozbek said: “It was very disappointing, soul destroying, really, to the point that we packed up the project.
“It was very disappointing from not only Havering Council, from Forestry England from land owners, I would actively say that people don’t want trees planted.
“The hardest and most disappointing thing I have ever done in my life.”
Ozbek explained Trees for Havering had planted over 21,000 before they decided to end the project at the beginning of last year following the mowing down of 8,000 trees they planted.
The project had permission to plant the trees that were mown down, and the destruction of the whips (young trees) and trees was due to administrative accidents.
A key incident leading up to the packing up of the scheme happened in December 2023, when the council mowed down 4,000 whips and trees at Harrow Lodge Park which had been planted by Trees for Havering volunteers.
Although the whips were small, the planting had included 80 larger, standard trees which had been sponsored by a local business.
These were 6ft tall and included five holly bushes, which were also demolished.
Ozbek described his shock and wondered how the destruction was even possible just with a sit-on mower.
When this incident occurred, the grassroots organsiation had taken delivery of 15,000 trees to be planted for another project for the council.
They felt disheartened but Ozbek agreed to go forward with that project, into March 2024, if the council would replace the Harrow Lodge trees.
When this demand was not met, he donated the trees to another council and Trees for Havering ended.
Ozbek said: “I thought naively that people would be biting our hands off, 50 volunteers turn up and plant thousands of trees for free.”
In 2022, following extreme high temperatures in the summer, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan pledged to increase tree planting.
He said: “I’ve pledged a further £3.1m for a mass tree-planting package to help limit the impacts of the climate emergency and the ecological crisis.
“These additional street trees and improvements to green spaces are targeted in areas where they’re most needed and will improve resilience of neighbourhoods in our city.
“The climate emergency is the biggest global threat we face today and we know that it doesn’t impact all Londoners equally, with communities suffering poverty, deprivation and health inequalities more likely to experience the worst effects of flooding, overheating and poor quality air.
“As mayor, I will continue my bold action to preserve and increase tree coverage across the capital as we build a better, greener and more sustainable London for everyone.”
London’s total tree coverage fell from 21% in 2022 to 19.6% in 2024.
Some boroughs and The City of London have, however, seen progress with tree coverage.
Projects which have had success include in Bromley, which saw the biggest increase in tree coverage from 2018-2024 of any borough.
Rising from 23.6% in 2018 to 27.1% in 2024, they had many successful tree planting projects.
Havering Council were contacted for comment.
Following the mowing down of the trees at Harrow Lodge, a spokesperson told The Havering Daily: “Havering Council had worked with Trees for Havering to establish this site for conservation and will continue to do so.
“Unfortunately a mistake was made when the area was not taken off the grass cutting schedule which meant the whips were accidentally cut as a result.
“We apologise for the mistake and have already contacted Trees for Havering to work with them on a recovery plan that will include new trees planted.”
Picture credit: Christane Teston via Unsplash
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