Omagh in Northern Ireland has its entire population living in areas with critically low urban tree cover, according to a Woodland Trust analysis of tree equity across UK towns and cities.

The report ranks Omagh alongside places like Holyhead in North Wales and Clacton-on-Sea in England as among the worst performers, where residents miss out on tree benefits including shade, cooling, reduced flooding, cleaner air, and support for mental health.

Woodland Trust tree equity programme officer Caroline Gray stated that over a million people in the UK reside in such tree deserts, facing hotter streets, dirtier air, and elevated risks of asthma, heart disease, and poorer physical and mental health.

Trees also aid wildlife, raise property values, attract business investment, and foster spaces for active lifestyles, the charity noted.

Gray emphasised that low tree cover can be addressed by planting in underserved areas, protecting existing urban trees including mature ones, ensuring their maintenance, and incorporating them into new developments as essential green infrastructure akin to utilities.

The trust promotes its free trees programme for schools and communities, targeting priority low-equity zones, and urges stronger safeguards for urban trees.