Droughts in the UK are nothing new—on average, we face one every 5 to 10 years. But lately, the frequency and severity of these dry spells are increasing, and that’s a big deal for the 140,000+ saplings Protect Earth has planted. These young trees, our green babies, are vulnerable to the challenges droughts bring. Yet, these challenges also present opportunities to rethink how we protect and grow our precious green spaces in a changing climate.
What Exactly is a Drought?
A drought is a natural event in which water supplies drop to low levels, impacting people, wildlife, and the environment. The UK government even lists drought as a major risk on the National Risk Register. And with climate change altering weather patterns, we can expect to see droughts and floods occurring more frequently, sometimes even simultaneously. Sounds odd, but it’s the chaotic flip side of climate change’s rollercoaster weather.
Types of Drought and How Areas Are Impacted
Droughts come in different flavours. On one end, you have short, sharp droughts like the scorching summer of 2022, which saw temperatures hit 40°C—the hottest ever recorded—and some parts of England experienced their driest July in nearly two centuries. On the other hand, droughts can stretch across multiple seasons, such as the one from 2004 to 2006.
Geography matters too. The uplands in northern and western England tend to feel the brunt of short, intense droughts because their water supply comes from reservoirs rather than groundwater. These areas can also face nasty floods right after droughts due to steep, impermeable land that sends rain rushing off rather than soaking in. Meanwhile, the south and east of England, reliant on groundwater, tend to suffer more from longer, drawn-out droughts that take time to recover from.
Spring 2025: A Dry Record
Looking at 2025 so far, things aren’t looking up. Data from the Met Office reveals that February to April was the driest period since 1956 in England. Northern areas, such as Cumbria and Northumbria, have experienced soil dryness and a sharp drop in river flows. Hot, dry conditions have even pushed wildfire incidents above average—a worrying sign.
Saplings Under Stress
For our saplings, these dry spells are no joke. Less water means stressed wildlife, struggling habitats, and increased wildfire risks, especially with dead wood piling up thanks to Ash dieback. Our planted woodlands are still young and fragile—they lack the deep roots and resilience that older trees possess. Whether it’s a blistering short drought or a slow-burning multi-season drought, these saplings face tough odds. And it’s not just our trees; all young trees—whether planted by charities or self-seeded—are feeling the squeeze.
But here’s the twist: droughts also remind us why planting trees and creating green spaces is more important than ever. Trees help protect the soil from baking dry, cool temperatures near the ground, and create channels in the soil that soak up rainwater. Without them, hard, sun-baked soil turns impermeable, increasing flood risk when the rain finally comes. While planting trees in the UK won’t single-handedly reverse global climate change, it’s a powerful local strategy to protect soil, manage water, and build resilience.
To Sum Up
Droughts are becoming a more frequent and fierce reality in the UK, posing real challenges to our environment and the saplings Protect Earth has planted. These young trees are still finding their feet, and the increasing drought stress is a tough hurdle. But it also sharpens our focus on the importance of green spaces—planting trees and caring for the soil is a frontline defence against a changing climate. Protect Earth’s mission to grow more woodlands is more vital than ever, because every sapling planted today is a step toward a cooler and greener tomorrow.