Tree czar to protect our woods

London's seven million trees are at risk, a damning new report claims today.

It accuses local authorities of letting woods, open spaces and parks across the capital fall into such serious disrepair that they are becoming "no-go zones".

The report, prepared by the Mayor of London's office, found 40 acres of London's "forests" had deteriorated so much that tourists simply refused to visit.

And experts warned that if the green areas are not seen as popular and thriving parts of the capital, they will become vulnerable to attempts by developers to build on them. The report, launched by Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron, calls for a central body to manage London's parks and woodlands, rather than leave each borough to manage their own trees.

"The framework seeks to ensure that trees are maintained to safeguard [their] value to London now and in the future, particularly as there is an expected population growth of 800,000 by 2016," said a spokesman.

Ken Livingstone said today he is to appoint a "tree czar" to oversee the implementation of the plan. Graham Simmonds of environmental pressure group Trees for London said that many of London's historic woodlands are on the verge of destruction.

"I think many areas of woodland, such as the Royal Parks, are superbly managed.

"But other areas don't have the same resources," said Mr Simmonds, adding that the key to the plan would be funding.

A quarter of the seven million trees are in woodland occupying eight per cent of London's land area.

An estimated 20 per cent of land in the capital is under the canopy of individual trees.