Trees are an essential part of the urban landscape. They provide shade and shelter, counter pollution, support wildlife, reflect history and culture, enhance character, and can help areas adapt to climate change.

Design for London is committed to maintaining and enhancing London's trees and woodland. We are involved in the Mayor's 10,000 street trees campaign, and are working alongside the GLA group, local authorities and the voluntary sector to help identify suitable areas for planting within each London borough.

Design for London participated in the development of the London Tree and Woodland Framework and the 'Right Place, Right Tree' database. These have been prepared to help London boroughs, landscape designers and developers plant more trees, and to anticipate changes in climate and growing conditions: a 10% increase in tree canopy would help maintain current summer temperatures into the middle of this century.

Design for London is also part of the Trees and Design Action Group, which includes representatives from major developers, landowners, utility operators, tree officers, the Greater London Authority, Transport for London, the Forestry Commission, and other interested parties with the ambition to locate more trees in the capital.

The group recently published draft guidelines on tree planting in new developments in London and assessing the value of urban trees. This is available from the Forestry Commission London Region website.