The summer of 2026 will go down in history as the summer when we all truly felt the impact of climate change. Never mind the record-breaking 40°C+ heat of 2022, or that we already had the hottest summer on record last year – because during that time we also had one important component that reminded us of the good old days: rain.
But this year, according to a report by New Scientist, the Met Office weather station at Kew Gardens recorded no measurable rainfall during July 2026, the first time this has happened since records began in 1871. No rainfall for a month. In England. Let that sink in for a moment.
These hotter summers and longer dry spells are already putting pressure on many of the species traditionally planted on UK streets. The challenge now for urban forestry is not just to plant more trees, but to plant the right trees for the decades ahead.
Planting for resilience
Being an urban tree is tough. Put yourself in the roots of a newly planted street tree. Not only are you confined to a small planting pit, but the soil you’re in is often low in nutrients and full of chemicals from concrete and tarmac.
It’s a miracle baby trees grow at all – but they do, and we’re so grateful for it. According to a report by Forest Research and Defra, trees planted outside woodlands are worth over £3.8 billion, based on the value they provide, such as carbon storage and temperature regulation.
With the challenges and the benefits in mind, those in charge of choosing tree species need to look beyond what trees have done well in the past and consider what is to thrive in the future.
Not Just More Trees, Better Trees
Recent research from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew highlights just how significant this challenge is. Following the severe drought of 2022, which resulted in the loss of more than 400 trees at Kew, researchers found that many species commonly associated with Britain’s landscapes could become increasingly vulnerable as the climate warms.
So what do the experts at Kew recommend? The key is diversity. We’ve seen it ourselves where an urban location has relied heavily on a small number of species and then had that population impacted by pests or disease. A broader mix of trees reduces risk and creates a more resilient urban canopy.
This does not mean abandoning native trees altogether. Native species remain hugely important for biodiversity and should continue to play a role in urban planting schemes. However, climate resilience may increasingly require the careful introduction of non-native species that are better adapted to warmer and drier conditions. The goal is not to replace native trees, but to create a diverse urban forest capable of continuing to provide shade, cooling, air quality benefits and wildlife habitat as conditions change.
tree species for a greener future
Several tree species are already showing promise for future-proof urban planting.
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Already well established in towns and cities across the UK, the field maple is a native tree that can thrive in urban conditions and periods of drought once established. Its manageable size makes it well suited for residential streets, and in autumn its leaves turn into a brilliant display of colour.
Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)
Native to the forests south of the Caspian Sea, Persian Ironwood is increasingly valued as a climate-resilient urban tree. It copes well with periods of drought once established and is tolerant of many of the challenging conditions found in towns and cities. Not only does it provide an exceptional autumn display, but in spring it also produces ruby-coloured clusters of flowers.
Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna)
A tough, reliable street tree that thrives in drought-prone urban environments. Native to south-eastern Europe and western Asia, it tolerates dry conditions, pollution and compacted soils, while its neat, pyramid-shaped crown makes it an attractive, low-maintenance choice for streets and avenues. Its broad canopy also provides valuable shade and cooling.
Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
This small, resilient tree is one of the earliest to flower, producing bright yellow blooms in late winter and followed by red berries that birds love. Its compact size makes it particularly suitable for residential streets, pocket parks and smaller planting spaces. Whilst not native to the UK, it has been grown in the UK since the 16th century and is well adapted to our climate, as well as hotter ones in Southern Europe.
Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata)
A tree closely related to the elm, but resistant to Dutch elm disease, this tree can tolerate poor soil and all the other challenges urban life provides. Cultivars such as ‘Green Vase’ or ‘Musashino’ are slender, making for a perfect street tree.
Let’s keep planting
Whilst establishing new trees involves a lot of care in the form of watering throughout summer months – the payoff is decades of a thriving tree providing benefits we can tangibly measure.
So don’t be put off by the parched grass and the crispy leaves – we can learn and grow and most importantly, we can adapt.
For more climate resilient trees, check out Kew’s list; Carbon Garden: Climate resilient trees.
If you want to see your local urban forest grow, find out if you can become a tree sponsor by searching for your local council.
And if you want to support an organisation working to plant more urban trees and improve access to nature in towns and cities across the UK, head over to our parent charity, Trees for Cities.
Photos courtesy of Diana Hagues and Jon Marks
