Green groups call for audit of the lost trees

Campaigners are calling for an audit of London trees amid fears that thousands are lost each year to commercial and residential development.

There are believed to be about eight million trees in the capital and although councils record how many they plant, no one knows how many have been felled.

Concerned activists now fear hundreds could be felled as part of plans for a west London tramway from Uxbridge to Shepherd's Bush.

Green party members of the Greater London Assembly are to meet Transport for London (TfL) and insist developers consider the number and age of trees felled.

Green member Jenny Jones said: " Greens believe a well-designed tram scheme could bring big environmental benefits. But we need a guarantee that trees cut down will all be replaced."

Graham Simmonds, chief executive of pressure group Trees for Cities, said between 25,000 and 30,000 trees were being planted in the capital annually. "We don't know how many trees are being lost, but our view is that the tree population is going down the whole time. "