In the midst of a heatwave and severe drought in the UK this summer, Divya Hariramani was trimming a plum tree in south London when she noticed an issue with one of its branches. The branch was starting to detach from the tree, a result of the tree being stressed due to lack of water caused by the heat. Hariramani, known for showcasing fruit trees and their caretakers in London on her social media account called Fruity Walks, shared this observation.

While London is often recognized for its historic stone structures, it is also celebrated for its extensive urban forest, considered one of the largest globally. However, this year has presented challenges for the city’s lush canopy due to consecutive heatwaves and minimal rainfall, putting a strain on plants and wildlife. A recent report by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew predicts that by the end of the century, around 73% of London’s trees could be at risk of perishing due to climate change.

The Kew Gardens tree collections and arboriculture team collaborated with the Greater London Authority to evaluate over a million public trees. Their findings revealed that 62% of these trees are ill-suited for the anticipated climate conditions by 2090 without emission reduction measures, with nearly 11% classified as “vulnerable.” The impact of climate change is already evident, with 400 trees at Kew Gardens dying in 2022 due to extreme heat and drought conditions.

As the climate in London is expected to resemble that of Barcelona by 2050, botanists are considering introducing different tree species that can thrive in warmer and drier conditions. Paul Wood, a prominent author focusing on London’s trees, expressed concerns about the future of the city’s tree-lined streets and ancient woodlands, highlighting the irreplaceable historical and ecological value of these trees.

The ongoing challenges faced by London’s urban forest underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the effects of climate change on the city’s green spaces and biodiversity.