Lately I’ve been fretting about this tree, the only street tree on this block. I can’t decide whether it’s the buildings that make the tree look miserable, or the tree that makes the buildings look miserable.
I’m also wondering if, in fifty years or so – perhaps sooner if we’re lucky – we might have a better understanding of trees. Maybe we’ll be treating them with more respect. Perhaps we’ll adapt our cities to suit the trees, rather than expect the trees to adapt to the cities. Maybe we’ll even begin to clear large spaces for proper groupings of trees, rather than lifting slabs of concrete here and there.
Meanwhile I’d love to find out if this tree minds being isolated like this, surrounded by buildings rather than forest, and wafted by exhaust fumes rather than fresh air. Perhaps it’s happy, but what happens to its roots beneath the pavement? Where do they go? How and where do they find their water? Is there anything we can do to make it bigger, to help it help us to hold off extreme heat?
It would be so much easier if it could talk.
Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023
The Phraser 
Poor/brave tree! Richard and I were reading a book about London when staying at a pub on Brick Lane (near Tom’s flat) where it claimed that there are enough trees in London for everyone living in the city to hug!!
They do say that trees have a way of communitcating with each other, but how does this one relate to anything in it’s isolated environment?
Kate
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There are a lot of trees in London, but I think it will need a lot of more of them in the places that don’t have them – streets such as this. When it gets hot on the pavements it gets so hot. I love the trees along the Thames and in the parks. And there are plenty in private gardens and private parks, but in amongst the new business developments not so much, unless you fancy a lift ride to a roof. Hopefully this area might get some more soon, as much for the people as the tree!
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