The City Tree is a vertical wall of moss which absorbs pollutants

A City Tree in Glasgow

Chiswick could become the latest place in the UK to introduce an innovative City Tree which can help combat air pollution.

The City Tree is made of moss cultures, which are said to have a larger leaf surface than other plants, which can capture pollutants and remove dust and nitrogen dioxide from the air. They cost around £20,000.

Earlier this year a mossy living wall was launched in Glasshouse Street, near Piccadilly, by Westminster Council and now local councillor John Todd has suggested that Chiswick could benefit from a similar City Tree. Glasgow and Newcastle are two other cities which have installed similar structures.

The Chiswick Oasis project at St Mary's RC Primary School recently reached its funding target more than two weeks ahead of schedule. The achievement now means that a 'green wall' can be installed to reduce air pollution from the A4 outside St. Mary's Roman Catholic

Councillor John Todd has now requested funding to purchase a City Tree, which he says could be of use to a local school near a busy road.

The City Tree is 4 metres tall, three metres wide and two metres deep and it is claimed it can remove as much pollutio as 275 trees. Each City Tree can remove 240 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, according to its manufacturer.

They require little maintainance as solar panels power it, and rainwater is collected for irrigation.

Cllr Todd says: We in Chiswick will continue to look at how innovative and forward-thinking ideas can have an positive impact on the environment. These initiatives will help improve air quality and reduce the use of plastic, which is good news for all."

Air pollution levels surveys carried out around William Hogarth School and Cavendish Primary, as well as St Mary's found that all three were experiencing high levels of pollution, mainly due to the proximity of busy main roads.

December 15, 2018