#214: The Battle for Sheffield's Trees

A Long Read in The Guardian from October 2023 focussed on the battle to save Sheffield's trees during a period when their removal had been contracted out to a company that had no issues with removing an excessive number of trees which were causing no harm to people's property and were not diseased and dangerous.

At the time, people were arrested and had their lives disrupted and faced a criminal record to protect trees which were not causing any problems.

We know that trees are essential in cities and Sheffield was famous for having perhaps more trees than any other European city.

They had already lost elms during the period when Dutch Elm disease ravaged the tree species and changed the landscape in many parts of the country.

Today's Guardian long read on the battle for Sheffield's trees https://t.co/7Ep6vMFoXS

— GCSE Natural History (@GCSENatHist) October 24, 2023

 

#196: Valuing city trees

As the world warms, we will need to seek shade on hot days. In cities, this will become even more important. The heat of the summer can be deadly.

Cities which value the well being of their inhabitants should start planting now... and on a large scale.

They will also protect existing city trees. Manchester calls itself the City of Trees.

City trees can also be the focus for some fieldwork. They can be counted, identified and mapped.

Also check out the work of Trees for Cities. This organisation is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Image: Casa de Campo, Madrid - Alan Parkinson, shared under CC license