London’s historic oak trees could soon get increased protection because of threats exasperated by climate change.
Jon Stokes, Director of Trees at The Tree Council, told City News that discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have been ongoing for the past year to develop new recommendations that could offer greater protection to the city’s most significant oaks.
They hope these protections will be launched this month. City News asked DEFRA for an interview on this, but they declined. Jon Stokes said that existing laws do not go far enough to protect centuries-old trees, despite their ecological and historical value, and highlighted that some of the trees are older than “our great stately homes.”
We can have a tree that’s 800 years old or a thousand years old. That would put it in listed building terms as a grade one listed building. The protection the grade one listed building has is a lot stronger.
Jon Stokes, Director of Trees, The Tree Council
Jon Stokes said the changing climate, particularly in the south of England, is putting “additional stress on the trees” by creating conditions that favour the survival and spread of harmful pathogens. Acute Oak Decline and the Oak Processionary Moth are particularly prevalent in London.
He warned that whilst the current situation isn’t as detrimental as the ash dieback, it can and should be managed “if we’re careful as a nation.”
Why are oak trees so important?
Annabel Narayanan, Director of Action Oak, a charity dedicated to protecting oak trees says that one million of the country’s oak trees are in London alone.
Beyond their historical significance, she told City News that oak trees are the most biodiverse tree in the UK, supporting over 2300 species.
300 of these species are restricted to oak trees, and so failing to preserve and protect the ancient oak puts the lives of birds, mammals, fungi, invertebrates, bryophyes and lichens at risk.
326 of these are obligate, so they’re only on oak trees. So, if we lose the oak trees, those species can’t survive on anything else. So the idea of losing a tree that accounts for 16% of all broadleaf population in Britain is deeply concerning.
Annabel Narayanan, Director of Action Oak
The ‘silent killers’ of oak trees
Among the most serious threats to London’s oaks are Acute Oak Decline (AOD) and the oak processionary moth (OPM).
AOD is a bacterial disease that causes dark cracks to form on the bark, producing a black ‘bleeding’ liquid that weakens the tree.
First observed in the UK in the late 20th century, AOD causes vertical cracks which seep a black fluid, Forest Research
Over time, the tree becomes more vulnerable to pests and infection, and in severe cases, can die within a few years.
Annabel Narayanan said that AOD currently affects about a third of oak trees in England and Wales.
First detected in the UK in 2006, the oak processionary moth is the other most pressing threat and its spreading rapidly.
Its caterpillars strip the oak trees of their leaves, making them more susceptible to disease, drought and flooding.
The caterpillars also pose a health risk to humans as their hairs can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.
OPM can is primarily seen across London but it’s spreading out from the city, Forestry Research
The impact of London’s warming climate
Annabel Narayanan said that the warmer climate in the south of England is making oak trees more vulnerable to disease, as drier conditions are creating an ideal environment for pests, therefore potentially accelerating the spread of infection.
Distribution of infected oak trees by the Oak Processionary Moth, Forestry Commission
The Tree Council highlighted that in future years, particularly in London, we’re likely to see increased sunshine and carbon dioxide which will impact on the amount of water available to these trees.
Water is not a freely available commodity because it often gets trapped in the drains and runs away fast. And so we need to build into our cities to allow it to get to the roots of our trees.
Jon Stokes, Director of Trees, The Tree Council
Oak trees are particularly important in urban areas as they help with pollution and provide shade for people sitting under them.
What’s being done to save London’s oaks?
The Tree Health Pilot Scheme, launched by DEFRA in 2021, was extended in September 2024 to provide further funding for councils, land owners and conservation groups to monitor and manage trees at risk or already infected with disease.
Under the scheme, Haringey Council has been tackling the spread of oak processionary moth, which is weakening trees across the borough.
Since 2022, funding has supported two years of surveys, allowing the council to track infestations and develop a risk-based action plan.
The initiative has also backed public awareness campaigns, an educational programme with Alexandra Park school, chemical control by utilising targeted insecticides in particular high risk areas and biosecurity protocols to restrict movement and therefore further spread.
With the scheme now extended, conservationists hope similar protective measures can be expanded across other London boroughs.
In order to help conservationists track outbreaks and minimise the spread, diseased trees can be reported using the TreeAlert tool on the Forest Research website.
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HeadlineLondon’s oak trees need ‘greater protection’ as threats from climate and disease grow
Short HeadlineTree Director: oaks need 'greater protection' amid growing threats
StandfirstMore sunshine, more CO2 and less water will impact the city's oldest trees.
London’s historic oak trees could soon get increased protection because of threats exasperated by climate change.
Jon Stokes, Director of Trees at The Tree Council, told City News that discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have been ongoing for the past year to develop new recommendations that could offer greater protection to the city’s most significant oaks.
They hope these protections will be launched this month. City News asked DEFRA for an interview on this, but they declined. Jon Stokes said that existing laws do not go far enough to protect centuries-old trees, despite their ecological and historical value, and highlighted that some of the trees are older than “our great stately homes.”
We can have a tree that’s 800 years old or a thousand years old. That would put it in listed building terms as a grade one listed building. The protection the grade one listed building has is a lot stronger.
Jon Stokes, Director of Trees, The Tree Council
Jon Stokes said the changing climate, particularly in the south of England, is putting “additional stress on the trees” by creating conditions that favour the survival and spread of harmful pathogens. Acute Oak Decline and the Oak Processionary Moth are particularly prevalent in London.
He warned that whilst the current situation isn’t as detrimental as the ash dieback, it can and should be managed “if we’re careful as a nation.”
Why are oak trees so important?
Annabel Narayanan, Director of Action Oak, a charity dedicated to protecting oak trees says that one million of the country’s oak trees are in London alone.
Beyond their historical significance, she told City News that oak trees are the most biodiverse tree in the UK, supporting over 2300 species.
300 of these species are restricted to oak trees, and so failing to preserve and protect the ancient oak puts the lives of birds, mammals, fungi, invertebrates, bryophyes and lichens at risk.
326 of these are obligate, so they’re only on oak trees. So, if we lose the oak trees, those species can’t survive on anything else. So the idea of losing a tree that accounts for 16% of all broadleaf population in Britain is deeply concerning.
Annabel Narayanan, Director of Action Oak
The ‘silent killers’ of oak trees
Among the most serious threats to London’s oaks are Acute Oak Decline (AOD) and the oak processionary moth (OPM).
AOD is a bacterial disease that causes dark cracks to form on the bark, producing a black ‘bleeding’ liquid that weakens the tree.
First observed in the UK in the late 20th century, AOD causes vertical cracks which seep a black fluid, Forest Research
Over time, the tree becomes more vulnerable to pests and infection, and in severe cases, can die within a few years.
Annabel Narayanan said that AOD currently affects about a third of oak trees in England and Wales.
First detected in the UK in 2006, the oak processionary moth is the other most pressing threat and its spreading rapidly.
Its caterpillars strip the oak trees of their leaves, making them more susceptible to disease, drought and flooding.
The caterpillars also pose a health risk to humans as their hairs can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.
OPM can is primarily seen across London but it’s spreading out from the city, Forestry Research
The impact of London’s warming climate
Annabel Narayanan said that the warmer climate in the south of England is making oak trees more vulnerable to disease, as drier conditions are creating an ideal environment for pests, therefore potentially accelerating the spread of infection.
Distribution of infected oak trees by the Oak Processionary Moth, Forestry Commission
The Tree Council highlighted that in future years, particularly in London, we’re likely to see increased sunshine and carbon dioxide which will impact on the amount of water available to these trees.
Water is not a freely available commodity because it often gets trapped in the drains and runs away fast. And so we need to build into our cities to allow it to get to the roots of our trees.
Jon Stokes, Director of Trees, The Tree Council
Oak trees are particularly important in urban areas as they help with pollution and provide shade for people sitting under them.
What’s being done to save London’s oaks?
The Tree Health Pilot Scheme, launched by DEFRA in 2021, was extended in September 2024 to provide further funding for councils, land owners and conservation groups to monitor and manage trees at risk or already infected with disease.
Under the scheme, Haringey Council has been tackling the spread of oak processionary moth, which is weakening trees across the borough.
Since 2022, funding has supported two years of surveys, allowing the council to track infestations and develop a risk-based action plan.
The initiative has also backed public awareness campaigns, an educational programme with Alexandra Park school, chemical control by utilising targeted insecticides in particular high risk areas and biosecurity protocols to restrict movement and therefore further spread.
With the scheme now extended, conservationists hope similar protective measures can be expanded across other London boroughs.
In order to help conservationists track outbreaks and minimise the spread, diseased trees can be reported using the TreeAlert tool on the Forest Research website.
