Urban Forests?

Alys Fowler points out that 80% of folk in the UK live in a town or a city. She waxes lyrical about the power of urban trees to make life better for people in such urban locations (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/urban-trees-axe-champions-nature). Trees, obviously, remove carbon dioxide and pump out oxygen into the atmosphere. They can also supply much-needed shade, when conditions become oppressively hot. Trees can screen unsightly items and muffle traffic noise. There's also good evidence that the right species of tree in the right locations, can reduce the risk of flooding and remove pollution from the air. Trees even measureably improve human feelings of wellbeing. In spite of these multiple benefits, Fowler thinks trees are regarded by planners as sources of litter (Autumn leaves), damage to pavements (their roots) and obstacles to 'improvements'. Trees clearly need to be protected from planners, by the city folk who appreciate them. It seems ,however, to be a never-ending battle.