13/08/2025

Tree planting often grabs the headlines, forms government policy and appears in innumerable company sustainability targets. Whilst such targets are well intentioned, they fail to capture the complexity of real-world systems and in isolation can end up causing more harm than good. Here at Kew Reach we think about landscapes holistically, designing and implementing schemes that promote biodiversity both above and below ground and that are fit for a changing climate.  

A recent paper by a multi-disciplinary team at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew frames this in an interesting way – looking at the interconnectedness of trees, fungi, and pollinators in cities. Taken together they can ensure thriving habitats but remove just one and the system starts to fail.  

The study illustrates that simply increasing tree numbers, while visually impressive and politically appealing, is insufficient if those trees are not functionally integrated into the wider ecosystem. Trees rely on complex relationships with soil fungi—particularly mycorrhizal species—to access nutrients, anchor themselves in degraded or compacted urban soils, and communicate with surrounding vegetation. Without appropriate fungal communities, even native or climate-resilient trees can struggle to survive, let alone support thriving urban habitats. 

Pollinators add another vital dimension. Urban spaces often attempt to support bees through flower beds or rooftop hives, but the reality is more nuanced. Overpopulating cities with honeybees can outcompete wild pollinators, damaging overall biodiversity. Instead, planting schemes must be tailored to support a diversity of native pollinators with staggered bloom times, varied floral structures, and nesting habitats integrated into the design. 

This tree-fungi-pollinator nexus offers a valuable framework for anyone planning green infrastructure or urban habitat creation. It calls for a move away from simplistic, target-driven claims and toward deeper, science-led design processes. It also reminds us that urban environments are not sterile backdrops for token nature projects; they can be rich ecological systems in their own right, capable of supporting complex life webs when designed with care. 

At Kew Reach, we embed this thinking into our work across landscapes—from cities to farms and forests. We bring together plant science, soil health, seed sourcing, and ecological monitoring to ensure that restoration is not just visible but viable in the long term. That means choosing trees with the right genetic provenance, inoculating soils with beneficial fungi where needed, and designing pollinator corridors that thrive alongside housing, infrastructure, and commercial development. 

If we want green cities and restored habitats that stand the test of time, we must think in systems. The tree-fungi-pollinator nexus is a powerful reminder that no species exists in isolation—and neither should our plans that support them.

If you think your development, green space, or regeneration project could benefit from our holistic, resilient design that might just save you costly replanting then get in touch: charlie.roper@kewreach.com