Tree Shortages in Coastal Towns Threaten Health and Environment, Charity Warns

Tree Shortages Create 'Tree Deserts' in Coastal Towns

A shortage of trees has transformed some towns and cities into "tree deserts," increasing residents' exposure to poor health, air pollution, and rising temperatures, according to a conservation charity.

Coed Cadw, the Welsh Woodland Trust, identified coastal towns as among the worst affected. Holyhead, Anglesey, was highlighted as a location where 100% of its urban population faces health and environmental risks due to minimal tree cover.

Prestatyn and Llandudno, located on the north Wales coast, ranked among the top five worst-affected towns, with 82% and 70% of their populations respectively "living at risk," the research revealed.

"Tree deserts are places of critically low tree equity where communities are missing out on the many benefits trees provide," said Jacinta Challinor, the charity's tree equity lead.

"That can mean hotter homes and streets, dirtier air, higher rates of asthma and heart disease, and poorer physical and mental health.

These challenges affect daily life in countless ways and, combined with wider inequities, can even contribute to lower life expectancy."

Challinor described the situation as an "injustice" that is "silently affecting the health" of people.

Other Towns with Low Urban Tree Cover

Carmarthen was ranked third worst, and Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire was fourth worst for urban tree cover, according to Coed Cadw's findings.

Other towns filling places six to ten on the Welsh list include Ystradgynlais in Powys; Flint in Flintshire; Aberystwyth in Ceredigion; Bridgend; and St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Efforts to Address Tree Shortages

Coed Cadw emphasized that the issue can be addressed and highlighted Wrexham as a council area that has recognized the problem and taken action.

Wrexham council's tree and woodland strategy aims to increase urban tree cover to 20%.

Jon Brewin, an arboriculture officer at Wrexham council, stated:

"Wrexham recognised an urgent necessity to increase our urban canopy cover back in 2014.

We plan to extend our canopy target through a combination of fine-tuning the actions and objectives [of the authority's strategy] and utilising the highly informative data provided by the Woodland Trust tree equity score."

The Woodland Trust's tree equity score considers multiple factors, including the amount of tree canopy cover relative to housing density, road networks, and the numbers of older people and children.

Challenges Specific to Coastal Towns

While coastal towns may benefit from sea breezes that help reduce air pollution to some extent, these conditions can also make it more difficult for certain tree species to grow and thrive. Nonetheless, Coed Cadw stressed that all urban environments require adequate tree coverage.

"The benefits that are provided by trees are only provided by trees," said Inigo Atkin, the charity's public affairs manager.

"Trees make a massive difference to air pollution.

On really, really hot days, trees are incredibly good at absorbing heat which doesn't then get reflected off the pavement and bring the whole temperature of the urban environment up by five, six, seven or eight degrees more than you would expect in an area that's quite leafy."

Recommendations and Public Opinion

Coed Cadw advocates for up to 25% of urban areas to be covered by a canopy of mature trees.

The charity urges Welsh local authorities to be bold and ambitious in their planning and decision-making regarding urban trees.

Additionally, a 2025 Woodland Trust survey of more than 2,000 urban residents found that 88% believe everyone should have fair access to trees and their benefits, regardless of where they live.