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An ambitious initiative aims to benefit ten million people by creating a cooler, greener, and more biodiverse London. The scheme, known as the London Tree Ring, proposes establishing a 200-kilometre green corridor that will circle the city’s outer boroughs. This project, driven by CPRE London, seeks to protect greenbelt lands, enhance biodiversity in overlooked green areas, and reintroduce species that have almost disappeared from the capital’s tree populations.
Referred to as “an M25 for nature” by the initiative’s planners, the London Tree Ring is not only about planting trees but also about involving local communities in stewardship. Over a 25-year period, schools, community organizations, landowners, and skill-based groups are encouraged to discover new planting sites, cultivate trees, and look after these revived natural areas. Phil Paulo, the project director, emphasizes the importance of community involvement by explaining that local people gain a vested interest as they get to watch trees grow from seed to full maturity, enjoying numerous benefits including urban cooling, carbon absorption, and community orchards.
Since gaining traction in 2023, the project has been preparing for its official launch on 15 October after extensive research and pilot runs in various locations. One such pilot, located on London’s south-west border, saw the planting of 1,500 trees—including disease-resistant elms—to restore hedgerows. The elm tree, devastated by Dutch elm disease in the 1960s and 1970s, is crucial because it serves as the sole food source for the white-letter hairstreak butterfly caterpillar, a species whose population has dramatically declined by 80 percent.
Further examples of restoration work include a partnership in Sutton between CPRE London, local council tree wardens, and children from Glenthorne High School to create a ‘Miyawaki’ microforest. This Japanese technique involves planting native trees densely into fungi-enriched soil, promoting better nutrient uptake. Paulo notes, “Despite these dry conditions, it’s established really well with limited irrigation,” highlighting the strategy’s suitability for adapting to drought, limited water supply, and urban heat challenges. Working alongside partners such as the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust, and Trees for
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