Walking app helps tree lovers know their sycamores from their maples

Record traffic for TreeTalk sparks global interest as users reconnect with the species that line their streets

An online mapping tool featuring the location and species of more than 700,000 trees in London has had a fiftyfold increase in visitors to its site since the coronavirus lockdown measures were put in place.

The founders of TreeTalk, which creates a walk specific to a user's location and identifies trees on the route, say an increase in people spending more time at home getting to know their natural surroundings has led to a surge in interest. There are now calls to bring the app to other cities in the UK and abroad. TreeTalk is currently discussing a proposal with an east coast city in the US, while cities in Australia and India have also expressed interest.