A report published last month by Forest Research and Defra assesses the economic value of the UK’s non woodland trees. It recognises the value trees on our streets and in hedgerows have for supporting a healthy environment and human health. The report states that alongside climate change, flood mitigation, air quality and wildlife benefits, these trees can also contribute to reducing the impacts of noise.
On the launch of the report in December, Richard Stanford, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, said: “This first-of-its-kind research demonstrates the dynamism of trees outside woodlands – from tackling many of the prevailing issues of our time, like air quality and climate change, to damping down noise and helping people to get a better night’s sleep.”
While the Institute of Acoustics welcome the recognition in this report that trees can help to mitigate the effects of noise, we advise that there are limitations to the impact trees have on noise reduction. Trees can help reduce the impact of noise - as part of a noise mitigation plan - but may not provide a full solution - particularly if they lose their leaves in winter. Research continues in this field assessing the impacts that trees can have.
Where developers, architects or planners propose trees as part of a noise reduction plan, we encourage them to seek advice from a suitably qualified acoustician to assess the contribution they might make to noise mitigation.
You can read the full report here: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/valuing-non-woodland-trees/
