trees

Trees are vital for life, helping to clean the air and soak up carbon emissions, as well as providing homes for thousands of birds, insects and mammals.

"Trees and wood; plants, flowers, fruit and nuts; and fungi play a crucial role in the balance of the ecosystem in all the parks and are an important food source for wildlife," they say.

Trees found in cities such as the London plane or the tulip tree, are excellent at absorbing carbon dioxide and removing pollutants from the air.

Trees and power lines can also be downed, causing the isolation of residential areas and lengthy power cuts.

As part of this Trees of Hope initiative, Henshaw Church of England Primary School in Hexham, which is closest to the Sycamore Gap, and all 15 UK national parks will receive a sapling.