THE vast majority of adults in the UK  underestimate or do not know the maximum cooling effect of urban trees, a new survey has found. 

The YouGov poll, commissioned by environmental charity Trees for Cities, shows that while 86 per cent of respondents agree that trees are important to help cool our towns and cities, 88 per cent underrate their benefit. 

The survey also highlighted a disparity facing neighbourhoods across the UK in having limited access to trees and their essential benefits, with over 1 in 3 adults (37 per cent) unable to access trees to help them cool down in hot weather within a five-minute walk (or equivalent) from their home.

The 3/30/300 rule by the Nature Based Solutions Institute states that the nearest high-quality public green space should be no less than 300 metres from home, which equates to approximately a five minute walk.

Suzanne Simmons, urban forest director at Trees for Cities, said: “One of the most tangible benefits of city trees is their ability to reduce urban heat by between 2 to 8 degrees through canopy shade and the cooling effects of air movement as the trees transpire.

"This makes a huge difference to thermal comfort and in reducing the risks of heat-related illnesses. If you imagine a hot day at 38 degrees, bringing this temperature down closer to 30 degrees is a significant improvement.”

Over 80 per cent of the UK population live in cities, which suffer more heat stress than rural areas due to the urban heat island effect, where hard surfaces like roads and roofs retain heat and have less vegetation to provide natural cooling.

Exacerbated by the effects of climate change, these high temperatures cause a host of heat-related health issues, such as heat stroke and sudden heart attacks, often affecting the most vulnerable. Heat-related mortality has been identified as a key risk to human health, and is on the rise.

Trees can become part of the solution to heat-related health impacts. 

Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, which supported the survey, said: “We are well versed in the benefits of trees when it comes to helping wildlife thrive and the positive impact they have on our mental wellbeing.

"But it’s apparent that trees also have a vital role to play in helping increase the resilience of our cities to hot summers and the effects of climate change. I’m really pleased players of People’s Postcode Lottery are supporting Trees for Cities work with over £1 million in funding raised so far.”