who'd of thought it- money does grow on trees

Who'd of thought it – money does grow on trees

Why is a road of three bed, 1930's semis, which is tree lined, more expensive than a road that is treeless, but has identical dwellings? Our primal instinct inevitably plays a part; our innate need to be close to greenness and therefore goodness, as well as their visual appeal must collectively demand a higher value, but should this simplified division be a satisfactory outcome to enriching our lives with trees?

We all know, trees are a prerequisite to human life – we would be absent without them.They purge our polluted air, so we get to breathe more easily. Trees breakfast on greenhouse gases, cleansing our air from carbon dioxide and storing it for life. Trees provide shelter and a home for vast amounts of wildlife – even a single tree is a habitat for a variety of species. Trees furnish us with shade; they keep us cool and supply a natural air conditioning to our environment. They bestow us with health advantages, improving our mental health as well as physical.

In addition to, the vast practical rewards trees provide, there too is the aesthetic element: their beauty; their silence; their power; their calming influence and their presence in our memories. My Grandmother's vast willow tree is an intrinsic part of my childhood. It dominated her garden and to me symbolised a hidden world. Hours I would spend underneath it, hidden from view of the adults, with my dolls. It was my playhouse; my hideaway; my safe place where I would play, dream, and imagine endlessly. I cannot walk past a willow tree without thinking of my Granny Noon. One day I will own a willow tree.

The health benefits of trees in urban settings should not be underestimated. Research suggests that planting trees in urban spaces will improve the richness of life. Exposing yourself to greater greenness, could add longevity to your existence as well as enhancing the quality of your and your neighbourhood's well-being. Predications tell us that these quiet giants provide restorative health benefits that can go as far as reducing mortality rates.

One study in Berlin that sought association between geographical properties and brain structures concluded that 'people living in proximity to trees had better amygdala integrity – meaning a brain structure better able to handle stressors' an outcome of which is mental health problems are more frequent in urban as compared to rural areas.'

A further study conducted in the states aimed to quantify this health impact and concluded that “having 10 more trees in a city block… [equates] to being 7 years younger.” The healing and enriching properties of trees are clearly apparent, perhaps planting a tree could be the beginning of a happier, healthier, and richer street.

Another study which analysed the connections between tree canopy, parks and crime in Chicago established strong links between trees in neighbourhoods lead to - and less crime: “they found that for every 10 percent increase in tree canopy cover, crime rates went down in several categories”. The authors of the research deduced, “Understanding the relationship between green space and crime can inform urban planning to improve human safety and well-being”. Collectively these studies highlight the significance of trees and how we should give greater thought and consideration to our immediate habitats.

In March of last year, Friends of the Earth released a press release drawing attention to new data, which shows glaring disparity in England's tree cover. Their research discovered some alarming statistics, as well as stating that “areas with highest levels of social deprivation have far fewer trees than wealthiest neighbourhoods”. It also evidenced, “England's tree cover at 12.8%, with just 10% made up by woodland – paling in comparison to the EU where woodland cover stands at 38%”. Friends of the Earth claim the government “must double tree cover to address the interlined climate, nature and public health crises, prioritising tree planting in the most in-need areas. New technology has meant the research was able to identify lone trees and street trees and the outcomes were vastly unequal across England. “It shows that 43% of neighbourhoods in England have less than 10% tree canopy cover, while 84% have less than 20% coverage”.

Thanet featured in the bottom 20 local authority areas for tree cover. Our home overall has only 5.2% tree coverage and 20% of our neighbourhoods fall into the most deprived 10% nationally. A recent European study that focused on the correlation between “urban street biodiversity and antidepressant prescriptions has even found that people who live in tree-lined streets are less likely to be prescribed antidepressants”.

Creating more tree lined streets in Thanet is possible. Trees for Streets is just one charitable project who care about enriching the lives of those of us that live in urban localities, so perhaps you and I should think about planting a tree to enhance the lives of our hometowns.

The sheer joy of walking along Westbrook Avenue in the early Spring absorbed by the sweet intense smell of blossom, or the cathedral roofed avenue of trees that shield Convent Road as you approach the sea at North Foreland are both locations that during life have given me perspective. We are fortunate to have some roads where the aesthetics of nature blend and enhance our wellbeing, but as the statistics above sharply emphasise our home falls alarmingly short of trees – maybe, just maybe you might want to give this some deeper thought and make Thanet a more prosperous place to be by planting a tree.

Reading, before writing.

Kuhn, S et al. “In search of features that constitute an “enriched environment” in humans: Associations between geographical properties and brain structure,” Nature, Vol Sci Rep 7, no 11920, 2017, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01720-6 (Kuhn, s et al)

Scott, E. “Living near trees could help you live longer,” Good Housekeeping, 22, August. 2016, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/health/health-advice/a563160/living-near-trees-could-help-you-live-longer/ (Scott, E)

“Trees Support our Mental Health” Trees for Streets, 10, May. 2022, https://www.treesforstreets.org/how-trees-support-our-mental-health/#:~:text=Trees%20lower%20our%20blood%20pressure,our%20mental%20and%20physical%20health

“New data shows glaring disparity in England tree cover” Friends of the Earth, 3, March. 2023, https://friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/new-data-shows-glaring-disparity-england-tree-cover (Press Release)

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