MANY councils are hell bent on cutting down urban trees.

This will cause untold damage to the local economy and increase policing costs plus much more.

Why are the trees there in the first place and what on earth do they do for us?

Colchester and Essex councillors take note.

A tree in a forest has only a tiny fraction of the economic and social value that an urban tree has so the two are not interchangeable.

We should be planting more urban trees in our towns and villages.

Urban trees were planted for many good reasons but saving the planet was not one of them.

Countless studies and experiments have shown trees have a substantial positive economic, social and safety impact.

Here are just some of the advantages of urban trees:

1. Businesses in tree lined streets reported 10 per cent increase in trade

2. Crime is reduced dramatically 

3. Trees have a psychological calming effect so reduce stress and road rage 

4. Bringing nature into urban environments makes them highly desirable wealth attracting areas 

5. The shading from the trees has been shown to reduce temperature extremes on roads and pavements increasing the life of these surfaces

6. Trees absorb rain, again prolonging life of pavements and surfaces 

7. Trees provide shelter, increasing desirability of the area 

8. The properties in tree lined areas are kept in better repair because people respect their local environment more

9. Trees absorb pollution and can convert noxious gases into harmless substances 

10. Trees act as a wind break and provide shade in the summer 

11. Property prices are higher where there are tree lined streets because they are seen as more desirable areas 

12. Tree lined roads protect against vehicles crashing onto pavements

13. Perceived journey times are shorter in tree lined areas 

14. Speeding is reduced because the trees give a visual reference 

15. Trees absorb traffic noise 

16. Trees act as a screen 

17. They do, of course, contribute to saving the planet

So what effect does cutting down street trees have?

So let’s see more trees along our streets.

Colchester High Street would be a very good place to start the urban tree planting scheme.

Gareth Stevens
West Street, Rowhedge