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Whether your favorite tree is in a private garden, on wasteland, in a school playground or on the street, your emotional response may be admiration, relaxation, rejuvenation or awareness of the seasons passing. But so many special trees are experiencing a combination of threats.

According to a from environmental charity the Tree Council and government-funded agency Forest Research, introduced pests and diseases, pollution, extreme weather and infrastructure development are all on the increase, which could be a disaster for the UK's trees. These affect trees' condition, resilience and capacity to mitigate the climate and nature crises.

Not only do trees play ecological roles in nature, such as shelter for wildlife and protection from floods, many people have long-standing connections to trees. A report from highlights the role of trees as an important part of the "fabric of human cultures and societies."

This demonstrates a move away from appreciating only the provided by urban trees and towards the social and cultural importance they hold for local populations.

The ecological and biodiversity values of trees are well-documented. Trees offer homes and food for birds, insects and wildlife. They prevent rainwater reaching the ground by . When combined with grass, surface water flooding is compared with tarmac. Urban trees reduce air pollution, quieten noise and .

cast votes for their favorite trees in the UK and . In a recent , over half of 1,800 adults surveyed said they had a favorite tree and 74% felt that urban development is the greatest threat to our trees.

That's not the only threat, though. , for example, leaves the trees vulnerable to diseases (such as Dutch elm or ash dieback). Rising temperatures and water scarcity leaves trees competing for resources.

But what does that mean for our urban trees? Approximately in England exists outside forest and woodland. Such trees form an essential habitat in urban areas where live, yet more than ever before, our urban trees are facing threats from a deadly combination of environmental change and human development. In , for example, 7,000 mature trees in towns and cities were lost between 2006 and 2013.

To try to , woodland charity Forest Research have released a new, national free-to-use . found in settings such as parks, open countryside and farmland, gardens and estates, or beside roads and paths.

These can be on a street corner, beside a railway track or in a market square and includes very old trees like those listed on the plus otherwise unremarkable trees growing in unusual settings, such as the vandalized 200-year-old .

Why we love trees

England is dawdling behind many other countries when it comes to protecting important trees. found that trees outside woodland share many of the associated with trees in woodlands; however, people make specific relationships with these urban trees and they are more likely to be considered unique and irreplaceable.

They their grace and beauty or for their associations with customs, beliefs and rituals. They can be a place to rest and play and symbols of community belonging. They can give a sense of continuity, connecting people's lifespans with reflections about the natural world and everything beyond.

Many countries give clear titles to their important trees. In Poland, they are called natural monuments; in Germany they are living monuments. Spain, Belgium, Greece, Mexico and Finland use the term "monumental trees." In New Zealand, special urban trees are referred to as national living landmarks. Currently England falls behind in designating trees for protection based on their historical or aesthetic importance.

Trees for everyone

A common feature across many countries is the opportunity for anyone, including members of the public, to recommend a tree for protection. is the idea that everyone should have access to the benefits of trees. It includes prioritizing and deploying resources in the areas where people have least access to them.

exists in most UK towns and cities. On average, the most economically and socially deprived and most ethnically diverse neighborhoods have half the tree canopy cover compared to the least deprived and least diverse.

ranges from 1%–2% in parts of north-east England to 36% in Hampstead, north London. Even there are wide variations.

So ensure your favorite tree can be appreciated and celebrated by your community as a living monument, make sure it is on the Trees Outside Woodland map. And .

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