Trees are disappearing from the streets of Birmingham at the rate of more than 1,000 a year, raising fears that the city's reputation for urban greenness is under threat.
A city council scrutiny committee wants urgent action to protect existing trees and to plant replacement stock.
There are about 100,000 trees lining Birmingham roads, many of which were planted in Victorian times.
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Ray Hassall, who chaired the scrutiny inquiry, warned against taking the city's green lungs for granted. Coun Hassall (Lib Dem Perry Barr) said: "Visitors to our city are often surprised by the numbers and beauty of trees on our highways, but many of us have noted the amount of trees that have been removed due to various factors."
Many of the 1,200 trees felled last year were diseased or dangerous. Some were removed to make way for road and pavement improvements. Replacements were planted, but not normally along roadsides. The committee heard evidence from experts about the environmental benefits of trees, which help absorb pollution and provide wildlife habitats.
Coun Hassall added: "Regrettably we are not increasing the numbers of street trees in the city at the moment. We now need to be more imaginative on the way forward to replace trees back on the public highway and increase our total number of trees."
The committee's recommendations include:
* Establishing a Birmingham branch of the charity Trees for Cities to promote the value of trees and organise planting through sponsorship
* Digging near to street trees to be licensed and closely monitored n Develop a central council database where details of all city trees can be registered
The scrutiny inquiry also warned about the impact the proposed privatisation of highways maintenance might have on roadside trees if a £2 billion council Private Finance Initiative is approved.
Coun Hassall said: "Trees are so important to the health of people and the environment that we want people to enjoy the benefits."
