During the summer of 2022, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, lost 400 trees to the drought and extreme 40°C heat.

This London Climate Action Week - running 20 - 28 June 2026 - Kew has painted an oak tree which died in 2022 the colour red to raise awareness of the effects of climate change.

While other trees which failed during this time were felled, this oak 'skeleton' has been left.

As the weather is predicted to reach highs of 37°C in London this week, the Climate Changed Oak highlights urgent actions needed to mitigate the long-term effects of increasingly hot, dry summers on plants and trees.

The Kew Gardens Tree Collections and arboriculture teams have been working with the Greater London Authority to assess 1.2 million trees across London, finding 62% have low suitability and 10% are vulnerable.

By the end of this century, 72% of London's urban canopy could be at risk, meaning there is plenty of work to be done to protect the capital city's trees in the wake of a warming climate.

Richard Deverell, director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, comments:

"Highlighting this Climate Changed Oak brings tangible evidence to help our visitors understand that climate change is here and now and is damaging our living landscapes. I hope it will give visitors an opportunity to reflect on how climate change is affecting our lives and what each of us can do to address this urgent challenge.”

Visitors are invited to reflect and listen to audio recordings from Kew's staff and supporters closely involved in developing solutions to the changing climate.

Credit: RBG Kew, Jeff E