Reports by the Greater London Authority show that more than half of London boroughs have seen a decline in tree coverage from 2018 to 2024, whilst Havering places first for the biggest reduction in these six years.
But Havering Council said there has not been a net loss of trees in the last ten years on council land.
In 2018, Havering’s canopy coverage was above the London average at 25 per cent, the data said, but by 2024 it was down to 14pc.
A notable event during this time came in December 2023 when Havering Council “accidentally” cut down 4,000 baby trees planted by volunteers in Harrow Lodge Park.
These trees were planted by Trees for Havering, a voluntary campaign that aimed to increase the borough’s greenery.
Trees for Havering stopped its work at the beginning of 2024 following this incident.
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In a video posted to Trees for Havering’s Facebook page in December 2023, co-founder Adam Ozbek said: “We have decided that we can no longer continue Trees for Havering.”
Ross Elliott, another co-founder, added: “We’ve planted over 21,500 trees in the few years we’ve been running and whilst we haven’t hit our target, it’s very hard to hit a target when people are mowing down your trees.
“It’s heartbreaking – soul destroying, and it’s not fair on us or our volunteers and supporters.”
Co-ordinator of Havering Friends of the Earth, Ian Pirie, thought the data by the Greater London Authority raised more questions than answers.
He said: “Are there particular reasons why Havering has seen such a reduction?
Ian Pirie believes the data raises more questions than answers (Image: Ian Pirie) “Tragic though the episode is when many newly-planted trees were cut down, it cannot be the whole explanation, especially when other boroughs have seen a decline.
“One possibility is that the figures are misleading, as they do not distinguish between trees and green spaces: they used to be obtained by taking aerial photos, where green fields and trees look much the same.
“Havering has over 60pc green spaces, and what looks like a reduction might not be the case if a better way of counting trees has been used more recently.
“We in Havering Friends of the Earth have for some years been pushing the council to do more to protect our green environment – and Havering could do better.”
Mr Pirie felt the council should adopt an action plan for nature in line with a call from The Woodland Trust.
A Havering Council spokesperson said: “We don’t recognise the data in the report mentioned and if accurate this will likely include private developments as there has not been a net loss of trees in the last ten years on council land.
“Havering Council had worked with Trees for Havering to establish the Harrow Lodge Park site for conservation. Unfortunately, due to an operational error the Whips (young trees) were accidentally cut as a result.
“We apologised and communicated with Trees for Havering at the time, which included replanting a number of trees as part of the council’s commitment to re-establish the area.”
