Britain’s recent heatwave, marked by record-high temperatures and below-average rainfall, is placing increasing stress on the country’s trees, making them more susceptible to collapse, experts warn. The prolonged dry conditions have not only triggered hosepipe bans and diminished reservoirs but are also drying out the soil, reducing its ability to support tree roots.

Kevin Martin, head of tree collections at Kew Gardens in London, emphasized the urgency of selecting drought-tolerant tree species adapted to evolving climate conditions, particularly in urban areas. “Many trees are experiencing high stress after an exceptionally dry spring,” he said, highlighting the need for strategic planting to mitigate future risks.

The impact of the dry weather was evident last week in Westminster, where police responded to a tree that had toppled onto a road. Onlookers and workers in the area attributed the collapse to parched soil unable to hold the tree’s root system securely.

The threat posed by climate change to trees is compounded by the vulnerability of newly planted specimens. Vhari Russell, founder of the charity Creating Nature’s Corridors, which has planted 18,000 trees since 2020, noted that recently established trees—typically those within their first three to five years—are particularly sensitive to drought stress due to their developing root systems. Russell described the Westminster tree fall as a tangible indicator of climate change’s immediate effects and a prompt for public reflection on environmental challenges.

Recent research conducted jointly by Kew Gardens and the Greater London Authority evaluated 1.2 million urban trees in London and found that 10 percent are currently vulnerable to environmental stressors. The study projects that by the end of this century, nearly 75 percent of the city’s trees could be at risk as climate change intensifies.

Kew Gardens itself has experienced significant losses, notably following the intense heat of summer 2022, when 400 trees died on the grounds, including a historic oak that was recently repainted red to mark its significance and demise.

Richard Deverell, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, underscored the broader importance of trees, stating their essential role in supporting biodiversity, food production, rainfall regulation, natural cooling, and cultural value. He expressed concern that increasing threats from climate change could undermine these vital functions, calling attention to the need for adaptive management and conservation strategies.