I was on an early morning walk on one of the hottest days of the year. Truly, I hate the heat, but need the exercise, socialisation and perspective that it gives.
It was 8.15am and already very warm. The best plan, I figured, was to move between areas of shade afforded by trees.
There are patches of aged oak trees along some of the village’s roads, and I have a particular love and gratitude for them.
But other trees play their part too. As I neared the recreation ground, I broke my normal route and headed for the shade of trees planted alongside the car park. It was a physical relief to step out of the sun and into the shade.
Trees lower temperatures by providing shade and releasing water into the air. They can reduce the air temperature by 8 degrees and make shady spots feel up to 15 degrees cooler than areas exposed to direct sunlight. Bless them.
Yet, in this heat, trees are struggling, shedding leaves as if it were already autumn, and dropping branches.
We should be taking care of our trees, and, I’d suggest, adding to their number. The UK has just 13 per cent tree cover, which is one of the lowest rates in Europe. We can change that, and the air temperature, by planting and taking care of trees, seeing them established and able to cope with the changing weather.
Every one of us can plant a tree, even if we just have a small patio: a well-chosen and tended tree in a pot will make a difference. Those of us lucky enough to have gardens can certainly add a tree.
There are some 320 homes in the village. Imagine, I think to myself, as I walk between shaded areas, if we each planted a tree. That’d be 320 more trees: habitat, diversity, fruit, and natural air conditioning.
So far, I’ve planted two trees in my little garden. They’re really rather exotic: an acer griseum and an amalanchier. I feel like I’ve been watching too much RHS Chelsea Flower Show. But, if I keep watering them, they will be beautiful and will outlast me. The back garden features a rather tired fence. Could I plant espaliered fruit trees along it? (I have a weakness for espaliered fruit trees. The allotment has four. My old garden had two. So, I think the answer is yes, in the late autumn, this is an option).
For a small person, I often think big. So, I wonder if we could do even better than 320 trees? What about a village tree-planting scheme that would bring shade to the people who go for walks here in 50 years’ time?
By this point in my musings, I’m nearly home, and at a fork in the road. I can walk across the church yard in full sun, or take the single-track road which is in deep shade. No prizes are awarded for guessing that I opted for deep shade. My body relaxed and seemed to decompress from the absence of the pressure of the heat.
My thanks go out to the village’s trees, and those who had the foresight to plant them, knowing they’d never see them grow to maturity. I’m confident that we, the village’s current occupants, will have the same vision. After all, you know the saying, ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.’
