It’s National Tree Week! The official start of tree-planting season! At Affinity Water, we’re proud to have over 200,000 trees across 450 of our sites. We’re lucky to host a wide variety of species, including oak, ash, alder, willow, and field maple. Our Biodiversity and Estates teams work hard to ensure every tree is regularly inspected for health, safety, and maintenance. They also scout out suitable spaces for new tree planting to enhance our habitats and support native wildlife.
Dead and dying trees are very important for wildlife. We often move dead or unsafe trees into chalk streams where they create energy hotspots. These trees change the stream’s flow by making narrow points and sudden openings, which support a river’s natural energy processes. It might look untidy at first, but understanding this can help you appreciate how these changes improve the quality of chalk streams.
Why Are Trees So Important?
Trees are more than just beautiful additions to the landscape; they are lifelines for our environment. Here’s why they’re so essential:
- Nature’s Air Purifiers: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, playing a critical role in maintaining clean air. A single mature tree can produce enough oxygen for several people each day.
- Wildlife Habitats: Trees are home to a wide variety of wildlife, offering shelter, food, and a place for birds, insects, and mammals to thrive. A rich diversity of trees supports a broader range of species, making forests and wooded areas essential for maintaining biodiversity.
- Climate Resilience: Trees absorb rainwater and reduce surface runoff, helping to prevent floods and manage stormwater. They also cool our communities by providing shade and releasing water vapor, which can lower temperatures and make urban areas more comfortable.
- Mental and Physical Health: Studies show that being around trees can reduce stress, improve mood, and even boost cognitive function. Trees enrich our lives not only through their beauty but by offering spaces for reflection, relaxation, and connection with nature.
How do we manage all these trees?
We use an app called EzyTreev to track all trees on our sites. This app maps each tree and alerts us when it’s time for an inspection. Every 18 months, our tree experts visit to check tree health, spot risks, and see if any trees need extra help. We log all details in the app to decide which trees need work, like those that might be dead or unsafe. When you see us trimming or pruning, it's to keep the trees healthy. Methods like pollarding help trees grow stronger, even if it looks intense.
Planting for a Sustainable Future
As we move deeper into the planting season, we’re expanding our Tree Strategy by adding more trees to suitable locations. Our Biodiversity Team has already planted over 10,000 trees, primarily as hedgerows, and we aim to plant another 100,000 by AMP8. This effort is part of our broader commitment with WaterUK to reach 110,000 trees planted by 2030.
Planting trees helps create better habitats and supports a sustainable future. Trees take in carbon, fight climate change, and help us protect important water resources.
How You Can Join In
National Tree Week is the perfect time to celebrate the power of trees! Whether you’re planting a sapling in your garden or simply taking a walk to appreciate your local green space, every action counts. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Take #TreeTime: Share this year’s campaign by encouraging others to take a moment for nature’s giants. Find a local park, take a photo, or simply enjoy the calming presence of trees. Make sure you tag @AffinityWater too if you're by one of our local chalk streams or rivers.