Stop, Look and Listen to Trees
We have been really inspired by @TreesForCities brilliant campaign to get 1million trees planted in London by 2020. It has got us thinking about the importance of trees in London. Firstly, they play an important role in cleaning the air. Our urban forests remove 2.4 million tonnes of air pollution from our clogged cities and are a vital part of the eco-system. Consequently we decided to take some time to really observe and celebrate the leafy giants that are dotted around the streets and parks of West London.

Have you ever taken time to pause and watch a tree? It’s a soothing sight and we can totally recommend it. Find a place to perch, where you’ll be comfortable for a while and simply view the tree and admire the structure of its branches and the leaves rippling in the breeze. Looking up at the canopy of a tree is something we rarely do — why is that? It makes a magnificent sight, especially framed against blue sky or racing clouds. At ground level, tree trunks are reassuringly solid, with such tactile bark. Listen to the sounds: rustling leaves, creaky branches and birdsong.

It’s important to do this. To take a moment and admire the often overlooked simplicity of nature right in front of us. Trust us, you’ll be surprised at how your mood lifts and your mind clears. You feel more present in the moment. Sometimes looking outward can help us to look inward. And that’s when change occurs. That’s one of the many reasons we started The Greenery — to help people make a connection with the environment and then act on it.
Because the more people that stop to connect with nature means there’s more of us who see the importance of protecting and preserving the green spaces around us, not only the trees in our cities but in the woods, forests, jungles and rainforests of the world.

So next time you see a beautiful tree, maybe it’s an ancient oak, or a fruit-laden cherry tree, or a lofty pine blanketed in scented needles, take a moment to stop, look and listen. You might be surprised what you hear.
The Greenery
@thegreeneryLDN
