UK Wildlife

Urban Tree Planting and Wildlife Welfare

Urban trees provide nesting habitat, food, and shade for wildlife, with their planting and management being important for urban wildlife welfare and biodiversity.

Key Facts

Mature urban trees support hundreds of invertebrate species and provide nesting for birds and bats
Oak is the most biodiverse native tree supporting over 500 species of insect
Urban tree canopy is declining in some UK cities despite new planting programmes
Street tree management including pruning can destroy nests if carried out during breeding season
Native species provide more wildlife value than ornamental non-native trees

Welfare Considerations

Urban tree planting for wildlife welfare requires choosing appropriate native species, planting where trees can reach maturity, and managing sensitively to avoid nest destruction. The cumulative value of urban tree canopy for wildlife is significant.

What You Can Do

Plant native trees in gardens particularly oak, hawthorn, and rowan for wildlife value
Advocate for urban tree planting programmes that prioritise native species
Report tree works during bird breeding season (March-August) to local authorities