5 pollution-busting trees to plant

'The point about hedges is that they are at the same height as the pollution so if you think about cars on a main road, if you have a really tall tree it's not going to absorb the same level of pollution as a hedge. Because of its density the pollution is caught more on the leaves'

Combined, our gardens have the potential to become a wildlife reserve in their own right, says gardening expert, award-winning wildlife author and Royal Horticultural Society ambassador Kate Bradbury

Gardening expert, award-winning wildlife author and Royal Horticultural Society ambassador Kate Bradbury has written a new book, The Tree In My Garden, in which she has curated a collection of 50 trees packed with information about appearance, care needs, carbon capturing ability and the wildlife they support.

This could be handy for environmentalists intent on reducing carbon footprint — or a budding gardener looking to choose the best tree for your outdoor space.